V       OF  THE 

NIVERSITY, 


OF 


Photo  by  Ottomar  Anschiitz,  Berlin. 


OCELOT     FROM     CENTRAL    AMERICA. 

This  is  one  of  the  most  beautifully  marked  of  all  Mammals.     The  ornamental  colouring 
is  seldom  quite  the  same  in  any  two  specimens. 


THE 


LIVING  A 


NIM 


OF  THE   WORLD 


AN    INTERESTING    DESCRIPTION    OF   BEASTS,    BIRDS,  FISHES 
REPTILES,    INSECTS,    ETC.,     WITH    AUTHENTIC    ANECDOTES 


Photo  by  Otto^llar  Ansc/iiitz,  Berlin 


VOL.  I. 

MAMMALS 

BT 

C.   J.    CORNISH,   M.A.,    F.Z.S.    (Editor.} 

F.    C.   SELOUS 

SIR  HARRY  JOHNSTON,  G.C.M.G.,  K.C.B 

C.    H.    LANE,    F.Z.S. 

LOUIS   WAIN 

W.    P.   PYCRAFT,    A.L.S.,   F.Z.S. 

H.    A.    BRYDEN 

F.    G.    AFLALO,    F.Z.S. 

W.    SAVILLE-KENT,    F.L.S.,  F.Z.S. 


567    ILLUSTRATIONS 

(INCLUDING  13  COLOURED  PLATES) 

FROM    PHOTOGRAPHS 


LONDON:  HUTCHINSON  »  CO.,  PATERNOSTER  Row 


BIOLOGY 

LIBRARY 

G 


LETTERPRESS    PRINTED    BY 
HAZELL,   WATSON    AND  VINEY,    LD.,    LONDON    AND   AYLESBURY 

COLOURED-PLATES    PRINTED   BY 
A.    C.    FOWLER,    MOORF1ELDS,    LONDON 


VOL.   I. 


INTRODUCTION  .         . 

BOOK  I.     MAMMALS. 
I.     APES,  MONKEYS,  AND  LEMURS 
II.     THE  CAT  TRIBE 

III.  THE  FOSSA,  CIVETS,  AND  ICHNEUMONS 

IV.  THE  HYAENAS  AND  AARD-WOLF 
V.     THE  DOG  FAMILY    . 

VI.     THE  BEARS      .... 
VII.     THE  SMALLER  CARNIVORA 
VIII.     MARINE  CARNIVORA  :  THE  SEALS,  SEA- 
LIONS,  AND  WALRUS 

IX.     THE  RODENTS,  OR  GNAWING  ANIMALS 

X.     THE      BATS      AND       INSECT-EATING 

MAMMALS 

XI.     THE  ELEPHANT,  TAPIR,  HYRAX,  AND 
RHINOCEROS 


CONTENTS 

PACK 

CHAP. 

.          i 

XII. 

XIII. 

1 

33 

XIV. 

ONS       74 

.       80 

XV. 

.       84 

XVI. 

.     114 

XVII. 

.     125 

_ 

XVIII. 

EA- 

.     136 

XIX. 

ALS      146 

XX. 

165 


172 


XXI. 
XXII. 


PAflC 

THE  HORSE  TRIBE        .        ,         .189 

THE  HOLLOW-HORNED  RUMINANTS  : 
OXEN,  BISON,  BUFFALOES,  AND 
MUSK-OX 207 

THE  SHEEP  AND  GOATS  .  .221 
THE  ANTELOPES  ....  239 
THE  GIRAFFE  AND  OKAPI  .  .  264 
THE  DEER  TRIBE  .  .  .271 

THE  CAMEL  TRIBE  AND  THE 
CHEVROTAINS  ....  302 

THE  PIG  AND  HIPPOPOTAMUS        .     310 

THE  DUGONG,  MANATEES,  WHALES, 
PORPOISES,  AND  DOLL>IIINS  .  .  327 

THE  SLOTHS,  ANT-EATERS,  AND 
ARMADILLOS  ....  336 

MARSUPIALS  AND  MONOTRKMUS      .     344 


Ocelot  from  Central  America 
The  largest  Gorilla  ever  captured 
African  Lion  and  Lioness  .        . 
Wolf  from  Central  Europe .        . 
Himalayan  Black  Bear 
Raccoon       


COLOURED 

Facing  page     i 


.      „          „      33 

65 

•      ,,          ,,      97 
.      „          „    129 
Chapman's  Zebras „          ,,1(51 


PLATES. 

Highland  Cattle  .        .        .        .  Facing  page  193 

Female  Kudu „          „    225 

Northern  Giraffe „          ,,257 

Fallow  Deer „          ,,289 

A  Hippopotamus  gaping  .        .        .      „         „    321 

The  Great  Kangaroo   ...  ...»    353 


ILLUSTRATIONS    IN    THE    TEXT. 


PAGE 

Pekin  Deer  in  summer  dress    . 

Negro  Boy  and  Apes 

Skeletons  of  Man  and  Gorilla  . 

Sea-swallows      .... 

African  Leopard         .         . 

East  African  Giraffe  .  . 

Flying-fox .  . 

Dolphins    . 

A  Happy  Family  , 

Elephants  . 

Giant  Tortoise  .... 

A  group  of  Crocodilians    . 

Somali  Zebras    .... 

Sun-fish viii 

A  young  Chimpanzee  (Anger, 
Pleasure,  Fear)   . 

Arabian  Baboon 

"Jenny,"      the       well-known 
Chimpanzee  at  the  Zoo 

A  young  Chimpanzee        .        . 

Htad  of  male  Gorilla  . 

A  male  Gorilla  . 

Young  Orang-utans  .        .        . 

Baby  Orang-utans  at  play 

Two   baby   Orang-utans.     The 
tug-of-war  .... 

White-handed  Gibbon 

Hulock  Gibbon .... 

Head  of  Proboscis  Monkry 

Cross-bearing  Langu  rand  young    11 

Male  Himalayan  Langur  . 

Gelada  Baboons  at  home  .        . 

Mantled  Guereza        .  . 

Diana  Monkey  .... 

Barbary  Ape      .         .  . 

Rhesub  Monkey          . 

Rhesus     Monkey     and    Sooty 
Mangiibey    .... 

Grey-cheeked  Mangabey    . 

Chinese  Macaque 

Grivet  Monkey  .... 

Bonnet  Monkey  and    Arabian 
Baboon  . 

Rhesus  Monkeys 

Orange  Snub-nosed  Monkey 

Pig-tailed  Monkey  , 

Chaccia  Baboon 


PAGE 

PAGK 

FAGK 

A  young  male  Chucma  Baboon 

21 

Puma.        ..... 

50 

Large  Indian  Civet 

74 

Head  of  male  Mandrill 

22 

Female  Puma    .... 

51 

African  Civet     .... 

75 

Brown  Capuchin        .        .        . 

22 

Ocelot         

52 

African  Civet     .                 . 

76 

Drill  

22 

Ocelot  from  Central  America   . 

53 

Sumatran  Civet         .        .        . 

76 

Red  Howler  Monkey                  . 

23 

Clouded  Leopard       .        .        . 

54 

77 

A  Spider  Monkey      .        . 

23 

Fishing-cat         .        . 

54 

Two-spotted  Palm-civet    . 

78 

Patas  Monkey    .        . 

24 

Marbled  Cat      . 

54 

Masked  Palm-civet    .        . 

78 

Wanderoo  Monkey     . 

24 

Golden  Cat 

55 

Binturong  .         . 

79 

Common  Squirrel  Monkey 

25 

Pampas-cat                                  . 

56 

79 

Black-eared  Marmoset 

26 

56 

Meercat      .... 

hO 

Humboldt's  Woelly  Monkey    . 

26 

Bay  Cat      

5C 

Spotted  Ilyajna  .... 

81 

Pig-tailed  Monkey  catching  a  fly 

27 

Kaffir  Cat  

57 

Spotted  Hyjena  .        .                . 

81 

Ringed-tailed  Lemur 

28 

African  Chaus,  or  Jungle-cat    . 

57 

Striped  Hyaena  .        . 

82 

A  Dwarf  Lemur                          . 

28 

58 

Aaid-wolf  .                         .        . 

82 

Black  Lemur     . 

29 

Male  Serval 

59 

Young  Grey  Wolf      .        . 

83 

Coquerel's  Lemur                       . 

29 

Serval  climbing                 .        . 

60 

A  growing  Cub  .        .        . 

84 

Rutted  Lemur    . 

29 

European  Wild  Cat            •        . 

61 

Wolf  Cubs  

85 

Garnett's  Galago                         . 

30 

Scotcli  Wild  Cata 

62 

White  Wolf        .... 

S6 

Muholi  Galago  .                         . 

30 

Lynx  .        .                         . 

83 

Prairie-wolf,  or  Coyote 

86 

Slender  Loris     . 

31 

European  Lynx  . 

64 

"  The  Wolf  with  privy  paw  "    . 

87 

Slow  Loris.        . 

31 

Canadian  Lynx 

04 

Russian  Wolf     .... 

88 

Tarsier        . 

32 

Cheetas       .        .                . 

65 

A  Wolf  of  the  Carpathians 

89 

Head  of  Aye-aye 

32 

A  Cheeta  hooded                . 

66 

Indian  Wolf 

90 

African  Lion      .                 .        . 

33 

A  Cheeta  on  the  look  out  . 

67 

Wolf's  head 

90 

An  Unwilling  Pupil          . 

33 

Domestic  Cats  : 

Russian  Wolf     . 

91 

Lioness  aroused 

34 

White  Short-haired 

68 

North  African  Jackal 

92 

Algerian  Lioness 

35 

Long-haired  White 

68 

Indian  Jackal     .        . 

92 

A  Foster-mother                . 

36 

Mackerel  -marked  Tabby 

69 

Maned  Wolf 

93 

/*  perforrcinsr  Lion            . 

36 

Cat  carrying  Kitten 

69 

Turkish  Jackal  .        .                . 

93 

Lioness  and  Cub                 . 

36 

Blue  Long-baired,  or  Persian 

60 

Wild  Dog  ... 

9J 

A  young  Lioness 

37 

Smoke  and  Blue  Long-haired 

69 

Dingo 

94 

A  Happy  Family 
A  cross  between  Lion  and  Tigress 

38 
38 

Orange  Tabby 
Long-haired  Tabby 

69 
69 

Dingoes      ...                . 
Cape  Hnnting-dog     . 

95 
9(5 

A  hunf^rv  T  ion 

39 

Silver  Persian         .        .        . 

69 

97 

Lioness  and  Tiger              . 

40 

Smoke  Long-haired,  or  Persian 

69 

Mountain-fox    .        .                . 

98 

Tigress       .        . 

41 

Short-haired  Blue  .        . 

70 

Leicestershire  Fox     .                 . 

98 

Tiger  Cub  . 

42 

Silver  Tabby  . 

70 

Too  difficult  !     . 

99 

A  Royal  Tiger    . 

42 

Short-haired  Tabby 

71 

Arctic  Fox  (In  summer  ;  Chang- 

A Tiper  before  sleeping    . 

43 

Long-haired  Orange 

71 

ing  his  coat  ;  In  winter) 

100 

A  half-grown  Tiger  Cub    . 

44 

Manx 

72 

Fennec-fox 

100 

Tigers  in  Italy  . 

45 

Siamese  ... 

72 

Domestic  Dogs  : 

A  Leopard-puma  Hybrid  . 

46 

Blue  Long-haired,  or  Persian 

72 

Stag-hound  Puppies 

101 

Leopards    . 

46 

Silver  Persians 

7-2 

Greyhound      .... 

102 

A  young  Leopard 
Snow-leopard,  or  Ounce 

47 
48 

Long-haired  Chinchilla  . 
The    "Bun"    or    "Ticked" 

73 

Retriever         .         .                 . 
Blood-hound  .... 

103 
104 

Cheeta 

49 

Short-haired  Cat     . 

73 

English  Setter 

104 

Jaguar       , 

50 

FORM 

74        Smooth-coated  Saint  Btuuard 

10/, 

689239 


Illustrations  in  the  Text,  Vol.   I. 


I 


run 

Domestic  Dogs  (con(inu<ci) : 
Grest  Dane  .  105 

Dachshund  .  .  105 

Dalmatians     .        .  .  10'> 

Newfoundland        .        .        •  106 
Bull-dogs        .        .  .107 

Old  English  Sheep-dog  .        .  108 
Mastiff    ...  .108 

Deer-hound    .  .  109 

Pointer   ...  .109 

Skyc  Terrier  .        .        .        .109 
Corded  Poodle  .  109 

Pomeranian    .        .  .  109 

Scottish  Terrier  .  109 

Maltese  Toy  Terrier       .        .109 
Butterfly-dog .        .        .        .109 
Her    Majesty    Queen    Alex- 
andra,   with  Chow    and 
Japanese  Spaniels    .        .  110 
Sand-dog         .         .         .         .110 
Pug  and  Pekinese  Spaniel      .111 
Fox-terrier     .        .        .        .111 
Blenheim  and  Prince  Charles 

Spaniels  .  .  .  .112 
Pariah  Puppies  .  .  .  112 
Common  Brown  Bear  .  .113 
An  inviting  attitude  .  .  114 
'I  bree  performing  Bears  .  .  114 
Eunip«';in  Brown  Bear  .  .115 
Syrian  Hear  .  .  .  .116 
Large  Russian  Brown  Beat  .  116 
American  Black  Bear  •  .  .  117 
Young  Syrian  Bear  from  the 

Caucasus  ....  118 
&  Brown  Bear  in  search  of 

insects 119 

Polar  Bears  .  .  .  .120 
Two  Polar  Hears  and  a  Brown 

Bear 121 

Polar  Bear 122 

Half-grown  Polar  Bears  .  .  128 
The  Ice-bear's  conch  .  .  .124 
Common  Raccot  I  125 

Itaccoon  .  .        .  125 

Great  Panda      .        .        .        .126 

Kinkftjon 127 

Young  Otters     .  .  127 

Two  tame  Otters        .  .  126 

Sea-otter 128 

A  Skunk 129 

A  Badger  in  the  water  .  .129 
European  Badger  .  .  .130 

Ratel 131 

Pint-marten       .  .        .  182 

Pofccat 183 

Himalayan  Weasel  .  .  .  133 
Common  Stoat  (In  summer  and 

winter  coats)  .  .  .  184 
Glutton  .  ...  134 

Califomian  Sea-lions,  or  Eared 

Seals 135 

Rtellcr's  Sea-lion         .         .         .130 

Sea-lion 137 

Sea-lion       ...  .188 

Female  Walrus  .        .  .  139 

Mala  Walrus       .  .  140 

Walrus  and  Sea-lion  .  .  141 

Grey  Seal   .  .142 

Giey  Seal 143 

Harp-seal  .  144 

Sea-elephant  .  145 

Cnpybara 146 

Flying-squirrel  .  .        .  140 

Flying-squirrel  .  .  .  .147 
Dorsal  Squirrel  from  Central 

America  ....  148 
Asiatic  Chipmunks  .  .  .  148 
Red-footed  Ground -squirrel  .  149 
Black  Fox-squirrel  .  .  .  149 
Long-tailed  Marmot  .  .  .  I'd 
Prairie-dogs,  or  Marmots  .  .  151 
American  Bearer  .  .  .  152 

Bearer 153 

Beaver  .  .154 

Musk-rat    ...  .154 

Gambian  Pouched  Rat  .  .155 
Pocket-gopher  .  .  156 

Long-eared  Jerboa  .  157 

Cape  Jumping- hare   .  157 

Octodont    ...  .  H,8 

Coypu         ...  .158 

Short-tailed  Hntia    .  .  159 

Porcupine  .  .159 

Porcupine  .  .160 

Tiscacha     .        .  .  ICO 

Chinchilla ...  .161 

Agutis 161 

Paca,  or  Spotted  Gary  .  .  162 
Pacas,  or  Spotted  Caries  .  .  162 
I'atagonian  Cavj  .  .  .  103 
Wood-hare .  .  .  1C8 

Wild  Rabbits  .  104 


Australian  Fruit-bat,  or  "Fly- 
ing-fox "  .  165 
Australian  Fruit-bats  .  166 
Tube-nosed  Fruit-bat  166 
Pipistrelle  Bat  1<>7 
Leaf -nosed  Bat  167 
Cobego  .  168 
Cobego  .  .169 
Cobego  asleep  .  .  170 
Three  baby  Hedgehogs  .  170 
Common  Mole  .  .  171 
Qolden  Mole  .  .  .  .171 
A  fin*  Tusker  .  .  .  .172 
A  young  Indian  Elephant  .  173 
The  Chief  of  Cliiengmai's  Car- 
riage   174 

Timber-elephants      .        .        .175 
Fenmle  Indian  Elephant  drag- 
ging teak     ....  176 
Indian  Elephants  bathing         .  177 
African  Elephant      .        .        .178 
Male  African  Elephant  drinking  179 
Malayan  Tapir  .        .                .  180 
Common  American  Tapir          .  181 
Hairy-eared  Sumatran   Rhino- 
ceros     182 

Great  Indian  Rhinoceros  .  .  183 
Great  Indian  Rhinoceros  .  .  184 
Black  African  lihinoceroses  .  185 
One  of  the  same  Rhinoceroses 

dead     ....  185 

Rhinoceros  bathing  .        .  186 

Black  African  Rhinoceros  .  187 
Sumatran  libinoceros  .  188 

Mountain-zebra         .  .  189 

Grevy's  Zebia    .        .  .100 

Burcliell's  Zebra  at  home  .  191 
The  lion.  Walter  Rothschild's 

team  of  Zebras    .        .        .  192 
Bnrcliell's    Zebra,    Chapman's 

variety        ....  193 
Mare    and   Foal  of    Burchell's 

Zebra 194 

Burchell's  Zebra  .  .  .  194 
Zebras  on  Table  Mountain  .  195 

Quagga 195 

Baluchi  Wild  ABB       .  106 

Male  Kiang        .  .  197 

Yearling  Arab  Colts  .  .  198 

Arab  Mare 199 

Arab  Mares  and  Foals  .  200 

Percheron  Horse  .  .  .  201 
Hackney  and  Foal  .  201 

Ladas 202 

Florizel  II 202 

Shetland  Pony  and  Foal  .  .  203 
Champion  Shire  Stallion  .  .  203 
Shire  Mare  and  Foal.  .  .204 
Welsh  Pony  .  .  204 

Polo-pony  .        .  .  205 

Donkey  .  .  205 

Egyptian  Donkeys     .  .  206 

Mules.        ...  206 

English  Park-cattle    .  .  207 

English  Park  Bull  .  .  .208 
Calf  of  English  Park-cattle  208 
Jersey  Cow  .  .  .  209 

Spanish  Cattle    .  .  200 

Young  Gaur       .  .        .  210 

Cow  Gayal 211 

Indian  Humped  Bull         .  212 

Indian  Humped  Cattla  .  .213 
Domesticated  Yak  214 

American  bull  Bison  .  .  215 
European  Bison  .  .  216 

American  Bison.  .  217 

Cape  Buffalo      .  .218 

Domesticated  Indian  Buffalo  .  218 
A  pair  of  Anoas.  .  .  .  219 
Young  bull  Musk-ox  .  220 

Young  Barbary  Sheep  221 

Siberian  Argali  .  .  222 

Baibary  Sheep  .  223 

Barbary  Sheep  .  .  223 

Burhal  Wild  Sheep  .  224 

Punjab  Sheep  225 

Fat-tailed  Sheep  .  225 

Four-horned  Sheep  .  226 

South  Down  Sheep  226 

Merino  Hams     .  .        ,  227 

Black-faced  Mountain-»h«*p  .  228 
Leicester  Ewe  .  228 

Cross-bred  Sheep  229 

Lonk  Ram  .  230 

Welsh  Ewes  .  280 

Female  Angora  Goat  .  231 

Angora  Ram  ,  231 

British  Goat       .        .  .  232 

Femala  Topgenburg  Goat  .  .  238 
Stud  Togpenburg  Go»t  .  .  233 
Schwartzals  Goat  .  .  234 

Male  Alpine  Ibex       .  •     .        .  235 


PAGE 

Young  male  Alpine  Ibe  .  235 
Nubian  Goat  .  .  .236 
Italian  Goat  .  .237 
Rocky  Mountain  Goat  .  238 
Himalayan  Tahr  and  ymiug  238 
Bubaline  Hartebeest .  .  230 
Blesbok  ....  240 
White-tailed  Gnu  and  Calf  240 
A  cow  Brindled  Gnu.  .  241 
Red-flanked  Duiker  .  .  .241 
Klipspringer  ....  242 
Sing-sing  Waterbuck.  .  .  243 
Mountain  Reedbuck  .  .  .  244 
Male  Impala,  or  Palla  .  .  244 
Male  Saipa  Antelopes  .  .  245 
Arabian  Gazelle.  .  .  .246 
Goitred  Gazelles  from  Mesopo- 
tamia   247 

Speke's  Gazelle  .  .  .  .248 
Gazellbs  from  Egypt .  .  .248 
'/tad-fronted  Gazelle  .  .  .249 
Hed-fronted  Gazelle  (another 

view) 249 

Male  Springbuck  .  .  .  250 
Sable  Antelope  .  .  .  .251 
Roan  Antelope  ....  252 
Male  of  Grant's  Gazelle  .  .  252 
Group  of  Beisa  Oryx.  .  .253 
White  Oryx  .  .  .  .254 

Beisa  Oryx 254 

Gerenuk 255 

Female  Nilgai    .        .        .        .256 

Addax 256 

A  pair  of  young  Prongbucks  .  2'>7 
Female  Goral  .  .  .  .258 
Harnessed  Antelope  .  .  .  258 
Male  Kudu  ....  259 

Eland 200 

Eland  Cows        .  .  261 

Bull  Eland 262 

The  Southern  Giraffe         .  268 

Southern  Giraffe  lying  down  .  264 
Male  Southern  Giraffe  .  .  265 
A  Giraffe  grazing  .  .  .  2f>(> 
A  Giraffe  browsing  .  .  .  2i>7 
Male  and  female  Giraffes  .  .  268 
The  OKapi  of  the  Congo  Forest  209 
Head  of  Okapi  .  .  .  .270 
Scandinavian  Reindeer  .  .  271 
Woodland  Caribou  .  .  .272 
Immature  Scandinavian  Elk  .  273 
Female  American  Elk,  or  Moose  274 


Park  Red  Deer 

An  Asiatic  Wapiti      . 

American  Wapiti 

American  Wapiti       . 

American  Wapiti       . 

A1I..U  Wapiti 

Manchurian  Wapiti  calling 

An  Axis  Hind    .... 

A  stag  Axis,  or  Indian  Spotted 

Deer 

A  Spotted  Oriental  Deer  . 

A  young  Fallow  Buck  of  the 

Brown  Breed 

A  Sambar  Stag  .... 
Formosan  Sika  Stag  . 
Javan  Rusa  Stag 
Hog-deer    . 

Young  male  Swamp-deer  . 
Indian  Muntjac. 


Male  Silurian  Roe  .  .  291 

Female  Siberian  Roe.  .  291 

Siberian  Roebuck  .  .  .  202 
Female  European  Roe  Deer  .  203 
1'ere  David's  Deer  .  .  .294 
Group  of  Virginian  Deer  (two 

bucks,  four  does)  .  295 

A  Mule-deer  Fawn  296 

Virginian  Deer  .  .  297 

Mule-dear  Stag  .  .  298 

Young  Marsh-deer  .  299 

Young  Himalayan  Musk-deer  .  300 
The  Camel  -  plough,  used  in 

Algiers  801 

A  White  Camel  .  302 

Arabian  Camel  .  302 

A  Camel 803 

A  spring  of  Camels  near  Port  Said  30:( 
Head  of  Bactrian  Camel  .  .  804 
An  old  male  Bactrian  Camel  .  305 
Bactrian  Camel  .  .  .  806 

Young  Bactrian  Camel  SOS 

Guanaco  807 

Llamas  .  308 

Llama  .  309 

Alpaca  .  .  .  309 

A  Domesticated  Sow  and  her 

Progeny  .  .  .  .310 
Wild  Boar  .  .311 

Diving-pigs  .  312 


PAGE 

Jaran  Wild  Pig          .  .  313 

Male  and  female  Babirusa  .  313 
Wart-hog  ....  814 

jElian's  Wart-hog       .        .  314 

Head  of  male  Wart-hog  .  .815 
Collared  Peccary  .  .  .816 
A  young  Collared  Peccary  .  317 
A  three-year-old  Hippopotamus  318 
Hippopotamus  drinking  .  319 

Hippopotamuses  bathiuc.  .  820 
Baby  Hippopotamus,  aged  six 

months         .        .        .        .321 
Dental  operations  on  a  Hippo- 
potamus      .        .        .   322,  323 
Female  Hippopotamuses  .        .  324 
A      Hippopotamus     Family — 

father,  mother,  and  young  324 
Hippopotamus  ....  325 
MaleandfemaleHippopotamuses  326 

Dugong 327 

American  Manatee     .        .        .  328 

Narwhal 829 

Grampus,  or  Killer  .  .  .380 
Short-beaked  River-dolphin  .  331 
Sowerby's  Beaked  Whale  .  .  832 
Common  Porpoise  .  .  .  833 
Elliott's  Dolphin  .  .  .334 
Risso's  Dolphin .  .  .  .334 
Bottle-nosed  Dolphin  .  .  335 
Heavyside's  Dolphin  .  .  335 
Northern  Two-toed  Sloth  .  .  336 
Three-toed  Sloth  .  .  .  3:'.7 
The  Great  Ant-eater  .  .  338 
Tamandua  Ant-eater  .  .  339 
Two-toed  Ant-eater  .  .  .340 
Weasel-headed  Armadillo  .  841 
Hairy-rumped  Armadillo.  841 

Peba  Armadillo  .  .  .841 
Kapplers'  Armadillo  .  .  .  341 
Cape  Aard-vark ....  842 
The  Great  Grey  Kangaroo  .  843 
Silver-grey  Kangaroo  .  .  844 
Black-striped  Wallaby  .  .  345 
Bennett's  Wallaby  and  the 

Great  Grey  Kangaroo  .  345 
Albino  Red  Kangaroos  .  .  34tt 
Tasmanian  Wallaby  .  .  .347 
Albino  Hed-belKed  Wallaby  .  348 
Rock-wallaby  .  .  .  .849 
Parry's  Wallaby  .  .  .350 
Parry's  Wallaby  .  .  .850 
Foot  of  Tree-kangaroo  .  .  851 
Brown  Tree-kangaroo  .  852 

Tree-kangaioos  ....  853 
Gaimard's  Rot-kangaroo  .  .  854 
Rat-kangaroo  from  New  South 

Wales 854 

Koala,   or   Australian    Native 

Bear,  and  Cub  .  .  .355 
Koala,  or  Australian  NativeBear  356 
Koala,  or  Australian  Native  Hear  357 
Squirrel-like  Flying-phalanger 

of  Victoria  ....  358 
Larger  Flying-phalanger  .  .  359 
Lesser  Flying-phalanger  .  .  3i>0 
Pygmy  Flying-phalanger  .  .  301 
Common  Grey  Opossum,  or 

Pluilanger  ....  362 
Australian  Urey  Opossum,  or 

Phalanger  ....  863 
Front  view  of  Grey  Opossum, 

or  Phalanger  .  .  .864 
Profile  view  of  Grey  Opossum, 

or  Phalanger                .         .  861 
Ring-tailed  Opossum,  or  Pha- 
langer, and  nest  .  365 
Spotted  Cuscus  .                .        .  866 
Common  Wombat     .                .  367 
Hairy-nosed  Wombat                .  368 
Common  Wombat      .        .        .  808 
Lonp-nosed  Australian  Bandi- 
coot      870 

Rabbit-bandicoot  .  .  .  871 
Pouched  Mole  ....  372 
Under  surface  of  Pouched  Mole  S72 
Tasmanian  Wolf  .  SfH 

Tasmanian  Wolf  373 

Tasmanian  Devil  .  874 

Spotted  Dasyures,  or  Australian 

Native  Cats  .  .  .875 
Brush-tailed  Pouched  Mouse, or 

Phascogale  ....  376 
Banded  Ant-eater  .  .  877 
Yapock,  or  Water-opossum  .  878 
Young  Opossum  (nato*-.*!  size)  .  879 
Woolly  American  Ope  'Bum  .  880 
Common  or  Virginian  Opossum  381 
Echidna,  or  Ant-eating  Porcu- 
pine   382 

Tasmanian  Echidna,  or  Porcu- 
pine Ant-eater    .  883 
Duck-bilUd  Platypus       .        .  884 


HH.  -The  photograph  afdolphint  on  page  v  vat  inadvertently  attributed  to  Mr.  F.  0.  AHalo.     The  name  of  the  photographer  ihould  have  been 
Mr.  T.  Ltml>erv,  who  kindly  gave  permitfion  for  hit  capital  tnap  that  If  be  reproduced  in  Uieie  paga 


Photo  by  the  Duchess  of  Bedford] 

PEKIN   DEER   IN   SUMMER  DKESS. 
An  eiample  of  the  white  spotted  type  of  coloration  so  common  among  herbivorous  mammals. 


[  Wobur*. 


INTRODUCTION. 


welcome  accorded  to 
-•-  "The  Living  Races  of 
Mankind,"  of  which  the  present 
work  is  the  natural  extension, 
would  be  a  practical  encourage- 
ment, if  such  were  needed,  to 
treat  of  the  Living  Eaces  of 
Animals  in  like  fashion.  But 
the  interest  now  taken  in 
Natural  History  is  of  a  kind 
and  calibre  never  previously 
known,  and  any  work  which 
presents  the  wonders  of  the 
Animal  World  in  a  new  or 
clearer  form  may  make  some 
claim  to  the  approval  of  the 
public.  The  means  at  the 
disposal  of  those  responsible 
for  the  following  pages  are,  by 
mere  lapse  of  time,  greater 
than  those  of  their  predecessors. 
Every  year  not  only  adds  to 
the  stock  of  knowledge  of  the 
denizens  of  earth  and  ocean, 
but  increases  the  facilities  for 
presenting  their  forms  and 


By  permission  o)  Herr  Carl  ffagenbcck]  [Hamburg. 

NEGRO  BOY  AND  APES. 

An  interesting  picture  of  a  Negro  boy,  with  a  young  Chimpanzee  (left  side  of  figure)  and 
young  Orang-utan  (right  side  of  figure). 

i 


11 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


surroundings  pictorially.  Photography  applied  to  the  illustration  of  the  life  of  beasts,  birds, 
fishes,  insects,  corals,  and  plants  is  at  once  the  most  attractive  and  the  most  correct  form  of 
illustration.  In  the  following  pages  it  will  be  used  on  a  scale  never  equalled  in  any  previous 
publication.  Without  straining  words,  it  may  be  said  that  the  subjects  photographed  have  been 
obtained  from  every  part  of  the  world,  many  of  them  from  the  most  distant  islands  of  the 
Southern  Ocean,  the  great  barrier  reef  of  Australia,  the  New  Zealand  hills,  the  Indian  jungle, 
the  South  African  veldt,  and  the  rivers  of  British  Columbia.  Photographs  of  swimming  fish, 
the  flying  bird,  and  of  the  leaping  salmon  will  be  reproduced  as  accurately  as  those  of  the  large 
carnivora  or  the  giant  ungulates.  In  accordance  with  the  example  now  being  set  by  the 

Museum  of  Natural  History,  the 
living  breeds  of  domesticated 
animals  will  also  find  a  place. 
The  time  and  expenditure 
employed  in  illustration  will 
be  equalled  by  the  attention 
given  to  the  descriptive  por- 
tion of  the  work.  The  Editor 
will  have  the  assistance  of 
specialists,  eminent  alike  in 
the  world  of  science  and 
practical  discovery.  Mr.  F.  C. 
Selous,  for  example,  will  deal 
with  the  African  Lion  and  the 
Elephants,  and  other  sportsmen 
with  the  big  game  of  the  Dark 
Continent.  Mr.  W.  Saville-Kent, 
the  author  of  "  The  Great 
Barrier  Reef  of  Australia,"  will 
treat  of  the  Marsupials  of  Aus- 
tralia and  the  Reptilia;  Sir 
Herbert  Maxwell  will  write  on 
the  Salmonidae,  and  Mr.  F.  Gr. 
Aflalo  on  the  Whales  and  other 
Cetacea  of  the  deep  seas ; 
while  Mr.  R.  Lydekker,  Dr. 
Bowdler  Sharpe,  Mr.  W.  F. 
Kirby,  and  other  specialists 
have  kindly  agreed  to  supervise 
the  work.  Where  possible  the 
illustrations  will  show  the  crea- 
tures in  their  natural  surround- 
ings, and  in  all  cases  the 


By  permission  oj  Herr  Umlauff] 

SKELETONS  OF  MAN  AND  GORILLA. 


{Hamburg. 


This  photograph  shows  the  remarkable  similarity  in  the  structure  of  the  human  frame 
(left)  and  that  of  the  gorilla  (right).  This  gorilla  happened  to  be  a  particularly  large 
specimen  ;  the  man  was  of  ordinary  height. 


Photo  ly  Q.  Watmoitgh  Webster  &  Son] 


[Chester. 


SEA-SWALLOWS. 
From  their  long  wings,  forked  tail,  and  flight,  the  Terns  are  popularly  called  Sea-swallows. 


iv 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


Photo  by  Ottomar  Antchutz]  [Berlin. 

AFRICAN   LEOPARD. 

An  example  of  tlitt  black-spotted  type  of  coloration  BO  prevalent  in 
Garni  vora. 


intelligence  and  the  mind  of  the  man-like 
apes,  the  likeness  both  in  form  and  action  of 
the  latter  to  man  has  never  failed  to  suggest 
that  there  may  have  existed,  or  may  even 
still  exist,  a  higher  anthropoid  ape  nearer 
to  the  human  being  than  those  now  known. 
The  idea  has  taken  shape  in  the  term  "  the 
missing  link."  The  phrase  is  misleading  in 
itself.  Such  a  creature  would  be  no  more 
a  link  in  the  descent  of  man  than  one  im- 
perfectly developed  limb  of  a  tree  is  a  link 
between  the  other  branches  and  the  stem. 
But  it  was  always  possible  that  we  might 
find  another  branch  which  had  attained  a 
higher  type  than  those  terminating  in  the 
gorilla  or  chimpanzee.  Recent  search  seems 
to  have  discovered  the  remains  of  such  a 
creature. 


photographic  portraits  of  the  animals  will,  by 
the  nature  of  things,  present  true  and  living 
pictures,  in  place  of  the  often  curiously 
incorrect  and  distorted  objects,  the  product 
of  illustrators'  fancy  rather  than  the  record 
of  facts,  not  infrequently  seen  in  previous 
illustrated  natural  histories. 

It  is  possible  that  while  these  pages  are 
in  the  press  discoveries  of  new  animals  may 
be  made,  or  living  representatives  of  creatures 
supposed  to  be  extinct  may  be  discovered.* 
One  band  of  explorers  is  engaged  in  seek- 
ing on  the  plains  of  South  America  for 
recent  remains  and  possible  survivors  of  the 
giant  ground-sloths.  Another  expedition  is 
engaged,  in  the  island  of  Java,  in  an  even 
more  interesting  quest.  Great  as  is  the 
difference  between  even  the  lowest  human 


EAST  AFRICAN   GIRAFFE. 

This  photograph  was  taken  in  the  wilds  of  Africa  by  Lord  Delamere, 
and  shows  the  animal  at  home.  The  tree  Is  a  mimosa,  on  the  top  shoots  of 
which  the  giraffe  habitually  feeds. 


*  Since  this  was  in  type,  Sir  Harry  Johnston  has  reported  the  existence  in  the   Congo  forest,  on   the  borders  of 
Uganda,  of  a  large  unknown  type  of  ruminant,  the  Akapi  of  the  natives. 


Photo  by  W.  Savilie-Kent,  F.Z.S.} 


FLYING-FOX. 


[Oroydon. 


This  bat,  which  is  a  native  of  Australia  (where  it  was  photographed),  is  commonly  called  the  Flying-fox.      Great  flocks  set  out  at   sunset 
from  the  forest  to  feed  upon  the  indigenous  fruits,  such  as  that  of  the  native  fig. 

In  the  island  of  Java,  near  one  of  the  homes  of  the  man-like  apes  of  to-day,  a 
naturalist,  M.  Dubois,  employed  by  the  Dutch  Government,  excavated  some  fossil-bearing  gravels 
on  a  river  called  the  Solo.  These  gravels 
belong  to  a  period  when  civilised  man,  at 
any  rate,  did  not  exist.  In  them  he  found  a 
great  quantity  of  bones  of  mammals  and  of 
prehistoric  crocodiles.  There  were  no  perfect 
skeletons,  and  it  was  fairly  plain  that  the 
bodies  of  the  creatures  had  been  floated  down 
the  river,  and  there  pulled  to  pieces  by  the 
crocodiles,  just  as  they  are  in  India  to-day. 
In  this  place,  lying  within  a  distance  of 
about  fifteen  yards  from  each  other,  he  made 
an  extraordinary  discovery  of  animal  remains. 
This  was  no  less  than  the  top  of  the  skull 
of  a  creature  much  higher  in  development 
than  the  chimpanzee  or  gorilla,  but  lower 

than  the  lowest  type  of  human  skull.     Near  Photoby  P.G.Ajiaio,F.z.s. 

it   were   also   found    two    of    the   teeth   and  DOLPHINS. 

.  This  photograph  was  taken  in  rmd-ocean,  and  show,  a  couple  of  dolpnms 

Olie    OI     the    bones    OI     the    thigh.        Ihe    tlllgn  following  a  ship  across  the  Atlantic 


VI 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


Photo  ly  Frutdti  Alinari] 


A   HAPPY   FAMILY. 


[Florence. 


Hyrena,  tiger,  and  lions  living  in  amity — a  remarkable  proof  of  their  tamer's  power.  In 
the  same  park  at  Hamburg,  belonging  to  Herr  Hagenbeck,  are  also  bears,  dogs,  leopards,  and 
pumas,  all  loose  together. 


bone    resembles    very    nearly 

that    of  a    man,    though   Dr. 

Virchow,    whom    Englishmen 

remember  in  connection   with 

the  fatal  illness  of  the  German 

Emperor  Frederick,  considered 

it  did  not  differ  from  that  of 

one    of    the     gibbons.       The 

inference  is  that  the  creature 

walked  upright ;  and  this  fact 

is    recorded    in    its    scientific 

name. 

As  regards  the  skull,  some 

specialists  in  anthropology  said 

that  it  was  that  of  a  large  ape, 

of  a  kind  of  gibbon  (a  long- 
armed,    upright-walking   ape, 

described    later),    of  a    "higher   anthropoid    ape,"   and    of  a   low   type    of    man.      Finally,    Dr. 

Cunningham,   the  able  secretary  of  the  Royal  Irish  Zoological  Society,  said   it  resembled  that 

of  a  "  microcephalous  idiot."     It  is  rather  strange    if  the   remains   of  the   first   and    only  man 
,,_—_.-„,-  found     in     the     Lower     Pleistocene     should 

happen  to  be  those  of  a  microcephalous 
idiot,  for  out  of  many  millions  of  men  born 
there  are  perhaps  only  one  or  two  of  this 
type.  Compared  with  the  head  of  any 
of  the  living  apes,  it  is  very  large.  Its 
brain-holding  power  is  about  five  to  three 
compared  with  the  skull  of  a  gorilla,  and 
two  to  One  compared  with  that  of  a 
chimpanzee. 

There  is  a  tradition  in  Sumatra  that 
man-like  apes  exist,  of  a  higher  character 
than  the  orang-utan.  Pending  the  discovery 
of  more  remains,  the  following  extract  is 
worth  quoting,  as  giving  shape  to  current 
ideas  about  such  creatures  both  here  and 
among  the  Malays.  They  take  form  in  a 
very  curious  and  interesting  book,  called 
"  The  Prison  of  Weltevreden,"  written  by 
Walter  M.  Gibson  in  the  middle  of  the  last 
ELEPHANTS.  century.  His  story  is  that  he  was  kept  in" 

This  is  another  of  Lord  Delameres    East    African    photographs,   and 

shows  a  couple  of  wild  elephants  in  the  open.  prison  at  Weltevreden,  in  Java,  by  the  Dutch, 


Introduction 


vii 


after  leading  a  life  of  adventure  and  enquiry 
among  the  islands  of  the  South  Atlantic 
and  Indian  Ocean ;  that  he  came  in  his 
own  small  vessel  to  the  Malay  Archipelago, 
and  spent  some  time  in  the  interior  of 
Sumatra,  where  he  saw  apparent  evidences 
of  semi-human  beings.  He  saw  the  orang- 
utans in  their  native  forest,  and  noted  that 
they  were  covered  with  red  hair,  and  was 
surprised  at  the  slowness  of  their  move- 
ments. Among  some  men  engaged  in 
building  a  stable  for  the  raja,  he  saw  "  a 
dark  form,  tall  as  a  middle-sized  man, 
covered  with  hair,  that  looked  soft  and 
flowing ;  the  arms,  hands,  legs,  and  feet 
seemed  well  formed,  like  the  Malays' ;  the 
body  was  straight,  and  easily  bore,  on  the 
right  shoulder,  the  yoke  of  two  heavy 
panniers  filled  with  material  for  the  build- 
ing which  was  going  on."  Gibson  says  that 
"  the  eyes  were  clearer,  the  nose  fuller,  and  the  lips  thinner  than  those  of  the  common 


By  permission  of  the  Son.  Walter  Rothschild] 
GIANT  TORTOISE. 


[Tring. 


This  photograph  of  Mr.  Walter  Rothschild  riding  on  one  of  his  huge 
tortoises  gives  a  good  idea  of  the  relative  sizes  of  one  of  the  "  giant  tortoises" 
and  a  human  being. 


[Florence. 
Photo  by  Fratelli  Alinari] 

A  GROUP  OP  CROCODILJANS. 

A  wonder  of  modern  animal-training.     The  photograph  shows  a  number  of  living  crocodilians  with  their  trainer.     They  have  been  on 
exhibition  in  Florence  for  some  years  past,  and  are  still  to  be  seen  there. 


•  <  • 

Vlll 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


Malay,  but  the  mouth  was  wide, 
the  lips  protruding,  and  a  chin 
formed  no  part  of  its  hairy  face ; 
yet  it  was  pleasantly  human  in 
expression,"  much  more  so  than  the 
dirty,  mottle-faced  coolies  and  lascars 
he  had  seen.  We  quote  the  ac- 
count, as  showing,  if  true,  that 
Gibson  saw  an  anthropoid  ape  taught 
to  work. 

It  may  be  a  mere  coincidence, 
but  it  is  nevertheless  somewhat 
remarkable  that  the  two  great  black 
man-like  apes,  the  chimpanzee  and 
the  gorilla,  inhabit  the  same  con- 
tinent as  some  of  the  blackest  races 
of  mankind,  while  the  red  orang- 
utan is  found  in  countries  where 
the  yellow-skinned  Malay  races  of 
man  are  indigenous. 


SOMALI   ZEBRAS. 


This  is  a  photograph  of  a  group  of  zebras  taken  in  Africa  by  Lord  Delamere,  and  gives 
some  idea  of  the  surrounding  country,  where  they  live  in  happy  freedom. 


The  special  thanks  of  the  Editor  and 
Publishers  are  due  to  a  great  many 
naturalists  and,  zoologists  for  the  valuable 
help  they  have  given  to,  and  the  interest 

they  have  taken  in,  this  work  while  it  has  been  in  preparation.  No  doubt,  before  the  complete  work  is  published,  a 
great  many  more  names  will  be  added  to  the  list,  but  meanwhile  grateful  acknowledgment  should  be  made  to  the  following  : — 
Her  Grace  the  Duchess  of  Bedford,  who  has  kindly  allowed  many  of  her  fine  photographs  to  be  reproduced  in  these 
pages;  the  Hon.  Walter  Rothschild,  M.P.,  for  the  splendid  collection  of  photographs  taken  especially  for  him  in  all 
parts  of  the  world ;  Lord  Delamere,  for  several  unique  photographs  taken  with  a  telephoto  lens  during  his  celebrated 
expedition  to  Africa;  Major  Nott,  F.Z.S.,  for  the  use  of  his  scientific  series  of  animal  jjhotographs  ;  Dr.  R.  W.  Shufeldt, 
of  Washington,  for  many  photographs  of  fish  and  other 
animals  in  their  natural  surroundings;  Mr.  W.  Savllle- 
Kent,  F.Z.S.,  F.L.S.,  for  the  photographs  taken  by  him 
while  in  Australia,;  Mr.  Lewis  Medland,  F.Z.S.,for  the 
use  of  his  singularly  complete  set  of  animal  photographs  ; 
Herr  Carl  Hagenbeck,  of  Hamburg,  for  permission  to 
use  his  photographs  of  some  extremely  rare  specimens 
of  animals  which  from  time  to  time  have  found  a  tem- 
porary home  at  his  wonderful  Thierpark;  the  Trustees  of 
the  British  Museum,  for  permission  to  photograph  some 
of  their  animals  ;  Professor  E.  Ray  Lankester,  Director 
of  the  Natural  History  Branch  of  the  British  Museum; 
and  the  Zoological  Society,  for  permission  to  photo- 
graph some  of  the  animals.  And  also  to  Herr  Ottomar 
Anschiltz,  of  Berlin ;  Messrs.  Bond  4*  Graver,  of  the 
Scholastic  Photographic  Co.;  Signor  Allnari,  of  Florence  ; 
Messrs.  Kerry  $•  Co.  and  Mr.  Henry  King,  of  Sydney  ;  Mr. 
Charle*  Knight ;  Mr.  J.  W.  McLdlan ;  Messrs.  Charles 
and  William  Reid;  Messrs.  A.  S.  Rudland  $  Sons; 
and  Messrs.  York  fy  Sons,  for  permission  to  reproduce 
their  photographs. 


Photo  ly  Dr.  R.  W.  Shufeldt] 

SUN-FISH. 


[  Washington. 


This  photograph  was  taken  through  the  water  by  Dr.  R.  W.  Shufeldt,  who 
has  made  a  speciality  oi  this  kind  of  photography. 


Photos  by  Q.  W,  Wition  <fc  Co.,  Ltd..} 
Anger. 


A   YOUNG   CHIMPANZEE. 
Pleasure. 


[Aberdeen. 


Fear. 


THE    LIVING  ANIMALS   OF  THE   WORLD. 


BOOK    I.     MAMMALS. 


CHAPTER    I. 

APES,  MONKEYS,  AND  LEMURS. 


Photo  by  Fratetli  Alinari,  Florence. 
ARABIAN   BABOOX. 


THE    MAN-LIKE   APES. 
THE  CHIMPANZEE. 

OF  all  the  great  apes  the  CHIMPANZEE  most  closely  approaches 
man  in  bodily  structure  and  appearance,  although  in  height 
it  is  less  near  the   human   standard  than  the  gorilla,  5  feet 
being  probably  that  of  an  adult  male. 

Several  races  of  this  ape  are  known,  among  them  the  TRUE 
CHIMPANZEE  and  the  BALD  CHIMPANZEE.  The  varieties  also  include 
the  Kulo-kamba,  described  by  Du  Chaillu,  and  the  Soko,  discovered 
by  Livingstone,  who  confounded  it  with  the  gorilla.  But  the 
variations  in  neither  of  these  are  sufficiently  important  to  justify 
their  being  ranked  as  species. 

The  first  authentic  mention  of  the  chimpanzee  is  found  in 
"  The  Strange  Adventures  of  Andrew  Battell,"  an  English  sailor 
taken  prisoner  by  the  Portuguese  in  1590,  who  lived  eighteen 
years  near  Angola.  He  speaks  of  two  apes,  the  Pongo  and 
the  Enjocko,  of  which  the  former  is  the  gorilla,  the  latter  the 
chimpanzee.  The  animal  was  first  seen  in  Europe  in  1641,  and 
described  scientifically  fifty-eight  years  later,  but  we  are  indebted 
" 


"  .The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 
t  •  •  •  1 1  .* 

to  Dr.  Savage,  a  missionary,  for 
our  first  account  of  its  habits, 
in  1847. 

The  chimpanzee,  like  the 
gorilla,  is  found  only  in  Africa. 
The  range  includes  West  and 
Central  Equatorial  Africa,  from 
the  Gambia  in  the  north  to  near 
Angola  in  the  south,  while  it 
occurs  in  the  Niam-Niam  country 
to  the  north-west  of  the  great 
lakes,  and  has  been  discovered 
recently  in  Uganda.  The  new 
Uganda  Railway,  which  will  open 
out  the  great  lakes  to  the  east, 
will  bring  English  travellers  well 
within  reach  of  the  nearest  haunt 
of  these  great  apes.  It  is  on 
the  likeness  and  difference  of 
their  form  and  shape  to  those  of 
man  that  the  attention  of  the 
world  has  been  mainly  fixed. 

The  chimpanzee  is  a  heavily 
built  animal,  with  chest  and  arms 
of  great  power.  The  male  is 
slightly  taller  than  the  female. 
The  crown  is  depressed,  the  chin 
receding,  the  ridges  which  over- 
hang the  eye-sockets  more 
prominent  than  in  man,  less  so 
than  in  the  gorilla.  The  nose 
has  a  short  bridge,  and  a  flat 
extremity.  The  ear  is  large,  and 
less  human  than  that  of  the  gorilla. 

The  hands  and  feet  are  comparatively  long ;  the  digits  are,  except  the  thumb  and  great  toe,  joined 
by  a  web.  The  arms  are  short  for  an  ape,  reaching  only  to  the  knees.  The  teeth  are  similar 
to  those  of  man,  and  the  canines  of  only  moderate  size.  The  chimpanzee  has  thirteen  pairs  of 
ribs,  and,  like  man,  has  a  suggestion  at  the  end  of  the  vertebra?  of  a  rudimentary  tail.  It 
walks  on  all-fours,  with  the  backs  of  its  closed  fingers  on  the  ground,  and  can  only  stand  upright 
by  clasping  its  hands  above  its  head.  The  skin  is  of  a  -reddish  or  brown  flesh-colour,  the  hair 
black,  with  white  patches  on  the  lower  part  of  the  face.  The  bald  chimpanzee  has  the  top, 
front,  and  sides  of  the  face  bare,  exceedingly  large  ears,  thick  lips,  and  black  or  brown  hands 
and  feet. 

The  chimpanzee's  natural  home  is  the  thick  forest,  where  tropical  vegetation  ensures 
almost  total  gloom.  But  near  Loan  go  it  frequents  the  mountains  near  the  coast.  It  is  a 
fruit-feeding  animal,  said  to  do  much  damage  to  plantations,  but  the  bald  race,  at  all 
events  in  captivity,  takes  readily  to  flesh,  and  the  famous  "  Sally  "  which  lived  in  the  Zoo  for 
over  six  years  used  to  kill  and  eat  pigeons,  and  caught  and  killed  rats.  The  male  chimpanzee 
builds  a  nest  in  a  tree  for  his  family,  and  sleeps  under  its  shelter ;  when  food  becomes  scarce 
in  the  vicinity,  a  move  is  made,  and  a  new  nest  built.  This  ape  lives  either  in  separate  families 
or  communities  not  exceeding  ten  in  number,  and  is  monogamous. 

As  to  the  animal's  courage,   it  is  difficult   to  get  accurate    information,  as   the   sins  of  the 


fkoto  by  Scholastic  Photo.  Co.]  [Parson's  Green. 

"JENNY,"   THE   WELL-KNOWN   CHIMPANZEE  AT   THE   ZOO. 
A   VERY   CHARACTERISTIC    POSE. 

In   this  picture   the  rounded   ear,   human-liko   wrinkles  on    the   forehead,   and  length  of 
the  toes  should  be  noted. 


Apes,    Monkeys,    and    Lemurs 


gorilla  and  baboon  have  often  been  laid  on  its  shoulders,  and  information  derived  from  natives 
is  usually  untrustworthy.  Apparently  the  chimpanzee  avoids  corning  into  collision  with  man 
although,  when  attacked,  it  is  a  formidable  antagonist.  Tales  of  chimpanzees  kidnapping 
women  and  children  need  stronger  evidence  than  they  have  yet  obtained.  The  natives  kill 
this  ape  by  spearing  it  in  the  back,  or  by  driving  it  into  nets,  where  it  is  entangled  and  easily 
dispatched.  According  to  Livingstone,  the  soko,  as  the  chimpanzee  is  called  in  East  Central 
Africa,  kills  the  leopard  by  biting  its  paws,  but  falls  an  easy  prey  to  the  lion. 

In  captivity  it  is  docile  and  intelligent,  but  usually  fails  to  stand  a  northern  climate  for 
more  than  a  few  months.  It  is  easily  taught  to  wear  clothes,  to  eat  and  drink  in  civilised 
fashion,  to  understand  what  is  said  to  it,  and  reply  with  a  limited  vocabulary  of  grunts. 
Sally  learnt  to  count  perfectly  up  to  six,  and  less  perfectly  to  ten ;  she  could  also  distinguish 
white  from  any  colour,  but  if  other  colours  were  presented  her  she  failed,  apparently  from 
colour-blindness.  Of  this  ape  the  late  Dr.  Gr.  J.  Ilomanes  wrote  with  something  more  than  the 
enthusiasm  of  a  clever  man  pursuing  a  favourite  theme  :  "  Her  intelligence  was  conspicuously 
displayed  by  the  remarkable  degree  in 
which  she  was  able  to  understand  the 
meaning  of  spoken  language — a  degree 
fully  equal  to  that  presented  by  an 
infant  a  few  months  before  emerging 
from  infancy,  and  therefore  higher  than 
that  which  is  presented  by  any  brute,  so 
far  at  least  as  I  have  evidence  to  show." 
Romanes  here  speaks  only,  be  it  noticed, 
of  ability  to  understand  human  speech — 
not  to  think  and  act.  But  this  is  in 
itself  a  great  mark  of  intelligence  on 
human  lines.  "  Having  enlisted  the 
co-operation  of  the  keepers,  I  requested 
them  to  ask  the  ape  repeatedly  for  one 
strawr,  two  straws,  three  straws.  These 
she  was  to  pick  up  and  hand  out  from 
among  the  litter  of  her  cage.  No 
constant  order  wras  to  be  observed  in 
making  these  requests ;  but  whenever 
she  handed  a  number  not  asked  for  her 
offer  was  to  be  refused,  while  if  she 
gave  the  proper  number  her  offer  was 
to  be  accepted,  and  she  was  to  receive 
a  piece  of  fruit  in  payment.  In  this 
way  the  ape  had  learnt  to  associate  these 
three  numbers  with  the  names.  As 
soon  as  the  animal  understood  what  was 
required,  she  never  failed  to  give  the 
number  of  straws  asked  for.  Her  educa- 
tion was  then  completed  in  a  similar 
manner  from  three  to  four,  and  from 
four  to  five  straws.  Sally  rarely  made 
mistakes  up  to  that  number ;  but  above 
five,  and  up  to  ten,  to  which  one  of 
the  keepers  endeavoured  to  advance  her 
education,  the  result  is  uncertain.  It  is 
evident  that  she  understands  the  words 


Photo  by  G.  W.  Wilson  &  Co.,  Ltd.] 

A  YOUNG  CHIMPANZEE. 


[Aberdeen. 


This  excellent  photograph,  by  Major   Nott,  F.Z.S.,  is   partkutoly  good,  as 
showing  the  manner  in  which  these  animals  use  their  hands  and 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


seven,  eight,  nine,  and  ten  to  betoken 
numbers  higher  than  those  below  them. 
When  she  was  asked  for  any  number  above 
six,  she  always  gave  some  number  over  six 
and  under  ten.  She  sometimes  doubled  over 
a  straw  to  make  it  present  two  ends,  and 
was  supposed  (thus)  to  hasten  the  attain- 
ment of  her  task."  By  no  means  all  the 
chimpanzees  are  so  patient  as  Sally.  One 
kept  in  the  Zoological  Gai'dens  for  some 
time  made  an  incessant  noise  by  stamping  on 
the  back  of  the  box  in  which  it  was  confined. 
It  struck  this  with  the  flat  of  its  foot  wlwle 
hanging  to  the  cross-bar  or  perch,  and  made 
a  prodigious  din.  This  seems  to  bear  out 
the  stories  of  chimpanzees  assembling  and 
drumming  on  logs  in  the  Central  African 
forests. 

THE  GORILLA. 

The  name  of  this  enormous  ape  has  been 
known  since  450  B.C.  Hanno  the  Cartha- 
ginian, when  off  Sierra  Leone,  met  with  wild 
men  arid  women  whom  the  interpreter  called 
GORILLAS.  The  males  escaped  and  flung  stones 
from  the  rocks,  but  several  females  were 
captured.  These  animals  could  not  have  been 
gorillas,  but  were  probably  baboons.  Andrew 
Battell,  already  mentioned,  described  the  gorilla  under  the  name  of  Pongo.  He  says  it  is  like 
a  man,  but  without  understanding  even  to  put  a  log  on  a  fire ;  it  kills  Negroes,  and  drives 
off  the  elephant  with  clubs  ;  it  is  never  taken  alive,  but  its  young  are  killed  with  poisoned 
arrows;  it  covers  its  dead  with  boughs.  Dr.  Savage  described  it  in  1847.  Later  Du  Chaillu 
visited  its  haunts,  and  his  well-known  book  relates  how  he  met  and  killed  several  specimens. 
But  Mr.  Winwood  Keade,  who  also  went  in  quest  of  it,  declared  that  Du  Chaillu,  like  himself, 
never  saw  a  live  gorilla.  Von  Koppenfels,  however,  saw  a  family  of  four  feeding,  besides 
shooting  others.  The  late  Miss  Kingsley  met  several,  one  of  which  was  killed  by  her 
elephant-men. 

The  gorilla  has  a  limited  range,  extending  from  2°  north  to  5°  south  latitude  in  West 
Africa,  a  moist  overgrown  region  including  the  mouth  of  the  Gaboon  River.  How  far  east  it 
is  found  is  uncertain,  but  it  is  known  in  the  Sierra  del  Cristal.  In  1851-52  it  was  seen  in 
considerable  numbers  on  the  coast. 

The  gorilla  is  the  largest,  strongest,  and  most  formidable  of  the  Primates.  An  adult  male 
is  from  5  feet  8  inches  to  6  feet  high,  heavily  built,  with  arms  and  chest  of  extraordinary 
power.  The  arms  reach  to  the  middle  of  the  legs.  The  hands  are  clumsy,  the  thumb  short, 
and  the  fingers  joined  by  a  web.  The  neck  scarcely  exists.  The  leg  has  a  slight  calf.  The 
toes  are  stumpy  and  thick;  the  great  toe  moves  like  a  thumb.  The  head  is  large  and 
receding,  with  enormous  ridges  above  the  eyes,  which  give  it  a  diabolical  appearance.  The 
canine  teeth  are  developed  into  huge  tusks.  The  nose  has  a  long  bridge,  and  the  nostrils 
look  downwards.  The  ear  is  small  and  man-like. 

In  colour  the  gorilla  varies  from  deep  black  to  iron-grey,  with  a  reddish  tinge  on  the 
head ;  old  animals  become  grizzled.  The  outer  hair  is  ringed  grey  and  brown  ;  beneath  it  is 
a  woolly  growth.  The  female  is  smaller — not  exceeding  4  feet  6  inches — and  less  hideous,  as 


Photo  by  A.  S.  KvMand  <k  Sons, 

HEAD   OF   MALE   GORILLA. 

This  is  a  photograph  of  one  of  the  first  gorillas  ever  brought  to  England 
It  was  sent  by  the  famous  It.  dfl  Chaillu. 


Apes,    Monkeys,    and    Lemurs 


the   canines   are   much  smaller,   and   the  ridges   above   the    eyes   are   not  noticeable,   a  feature 
common  also  to  the  young. 

Timid,  superstitious  natives  and  credulous  or  untrustworthy  travellers  have  left  still  wrapped 
in  mystery  many  of  the  habits  of  this  mighty  ape,  whose  fever-stricken,  forest-clad  haunts 
render  investigation  always  difficult,  often  impossible.  Many  tales  of  its  ferocity  and  strength 
are  obviously  untrue,  but  we  think  that  too  much  has  been  disbelieved.  That  a  huge  arm 
descends  from  a  tree,  draws  up  and  chokes  the  wayfarer,  must  be  false,  for  intelligent  natives 
have  confessed  to  knowing  no  instance  of  the  gorilla  attacking  man.  That  it  vanquishes  the 
leopard  is  probable ;  that  it  has  driven  the  lion  from  its  haunts  requires  proof.  Nor  can  we 
accept  tales  of  the  carrying-off  of  Negro  women ;  and  the  defeat  of  the  elephants,  too,  must 
be  considered  a  fiction. 

But  we  must  believe  that  this  ape,  if  provoked  or  wounded,  is  a  terrible  foe,  capable  of 
ripping  open  a  man  with  one  stroke  of  its  paw,  or  of  cracking  the  skull  of  a  hunter  as  easily 
as  a  squirrel  cracks  a  nut.  There  is  a  tale  of  a  tribe  that  kept  an  enormous  gorilla  as 
executioner,  which  tore  its  victims  to  pieces,  until  an  Englishman,  doomed  to  meet  it, 
noticing  a  large  swelling  near  its  ribs,  killed  it  with  a  heavy  blow  or  two  on  the  weak  spot. 

Gorillas  live  mainly  in  the  trees  on  whose  fruit  they  subsist ;  they  construct  a  shelter  in  the 
lower  boughs  for  the  family,  and  as  a  lying-in  place  for  the  female.  The  male  is  said  to  sleep 
below,  with  his  back  against  the  tree — a  favourite  attitude  with  both  sexes — to  keep  off  leopards. 
On  the  ground  it  moves  on  all-fours,  with  a  curious  swinging  action,  caused  by  putting  its 
hands  with  fingers  extended  on  the  ground,  and  bringing  its  body  forward  by  a  half-jump. 
Having  a  heel,  it  can  stand  better  than  other  apes ;  but  this  attitude  is  not  common,  and 
Du  Chaillu  appears  to  have  been  mistaken  when  he  describes  the  gorilla  as  attacking  upright. 

In  captivity  only  immature 
specimens  have  been  seen — Barnum's 
great  ape  being  one  of  the  larger 
forms  of  chimpanzee.  Accounts  vary 
as  to  the  temper  of  the  gorilla,  some 
describing  it  as  untamable,  while 
others  say  it  is  docile  and  playful 
when  young.  There  is  an  Ameri- 
can tale  that  a  gorilla  over  6  feet 
high  was  captured  near  Tanganyika, 
but  nothing  more  has  reached  us 
about  it. 

When  enraged,  a  gorilla  beats  its 
breast,  as  the  writer  was  informed 
by  a  keeper,  who  thus  confirmed 
Du  Chaillu's  account.  Its  usual  voice 
is  a  grunt,  which,  when  the  animal 
is  excited,  becomes  a  roar. 

THE   ORANG-UTAN. 

This  great  red  ape  was  men- 
tioned by  Linnaeus  in  1766,  and  at 
the  beginning  of  the  last  century  a 
specimen  living  in  the  Prince  of 
Orange's  collection  was  described  by 
Vosmaer. 

There  are  three  varieties  of  the 
ORANG,  called  by  the  Dyaks  MIAS- 


By  permisiion  of  Merr  Umlaujf  J 

A   MALE   GOBILLA. 


[Hamburg. 


This  photograph  of  the  largest  gorilla  known  was  taken  immediately  after  death 
by  Herr  Paschen  at  Yaunde,  and  gives  an  excellent  idea  of  the  size  of  these  animals 
as  compared  with  Negroes.  The  animal  weighed  400  Ibs. 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


PAPPAN,  MIAS-RAMBI,  and  MIAS-KASSU,  the  third  of  which  is  smaller,  has  no  cheek-excrescences, 
and  very  large  teeth.  Some  naturalists  recognise  a  pale  and  a  dark  race. 

Most  of  our  information  is  due  to  Eaja  Brooke  and  Dr.  Wallace.  The  species  is  confined 
to  Borneo  and  Sumatra,  but  fossils  have  been  found  in  India  of  this  genus,  as  well  as  of  a 
chimpanzee.  The  orang  is  less  man-like  than  the  chimpanzee  and  gorilla.  In  height  the 
male  varies  from  3  feet  10  inches  to  4  feet  6  inches,  the  female  being  a  few  inches  shorter. 
It  is  a  heavy  creature,  with  large  head— often  a  foot  in  breadth — thick  neck,  powerful  arms, 
which  reach  nearly  to  the  ankles,  and  protuberant  abdomen.  Its  legs  are  short  and  bowed. 
The  forehead  is  high,  the  nose  fairly  large,  the  ears  very  human.  The  throat  is  ornamented 
with  large  pouches,  and  there  are  often  callosities  on  the  cheeks.  The  fingers  are  webbed,  the 

thumb  small,  the  foot  long 
and  narrow,  the  great  toe 
small  and  often  without  a 
nail.  The  brain  is  man-like, 
and  the  ribs  agree  in  number 
with  those  of  man  ;  but  there 
are  nine  bones  in  the  wrist, 
whereas  man,  the  gorilla,  and 
the  chimpanzee  have  but 
eight.  The  canine  teeth  are 
enormous  in  the  male.  The 
hair,  a  foot  or  more  long  on 
the  shoulders  and  thighs,  is 
yellowish  red :  there  is  a 
slight  beard.  The  skin  is 
grey  or  brown,  and  often,  in 
adults,  black. 

The  orang  is  entirely  a 
tree-living  animal,  and  is  only 
found  in  moist  districts 
where  there  is  much  virgin 
forest.  On  the  ground  it 
progresses  clumsily  on  all- 
fours,  using  its  arms  as 
crutches,  and  with  the  side 
only  of  its  feet  on  the  ground. 

YOUNG  ORANG-UTANS.  In    trees   ifc    travels    deliber- 

ately but  with  perfect  ease, 
swinging  along  underneath 
the  branches,  although  it  also 

walks  along  them  semi-erect.  It  lives  alone  with  mate  and  young,  and  builds  a  sleeping  - 
place  sufficiently  low  to  avoid  the  wind.  Its  food  is  leaves  and  fruit,  especially  the  durian  ; 
its  feeding-time,  midday. 

No  animal  molests  the  mias  save — so  say  the  Dyaks — the  python  and  crocodile,  both 
of  which  it  kills  by  tearing  with  its  hands.  It  never  attacks  man,  but  has  been  known  to 
bite  savagely  when  brought  to  bay,  and  it  is  very  tenacious  of  life,  one  being  found  by 
Mr.  Wallace  still  alive  after  a  fall  from  a  tree,  when  "  both  legs  had  been  broken,  its  hip-joint 
and  the  root  of  the  spine  shattered,  and  two  bullets  flattened  in  neck  and  jaws." 

In  captivity  young  orangs  are  playful  and  docile,  but  passionate.  Less  intelligent  than 
chimpanzees,  they  may  be  taught  to  eat  and  drink  nicely,  and  to  obey  simple  commands. 
One  in  the  Zoo  at  present  has  acquired  the  rudiments  of  drill.  They  will  eat  meat  and  eggs, 
and  drink  wine,  beer,  spirits,  and  tea.  An  orang  described  years  ago  by  Dr.  Clarke  Abel  was 


Photo  by  Ottomar  Anschutz) 


[Berlin. 


It  will  be  seen  here,  trom  the  profile,  that  the  young  anthropoid  ape  has  only  the  upper  part  of  the 
bead  at  all  approacning  the  human  type. 


8 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


allowed  the  run  of  the  ship  on  the  voyage  to  England,  and  would  play  with  the  sailors  in 
the  rigging.  When  refused  food  he  pretended  to  commit  suicide,  and  rushed  over  the  side, 
only  to  be  found  under  the  chains. 

The  orang  is  the  least  interesting  of  the  three  great  apes ;  he  lacks  the  power  and  brutality 
of  the  gorilla  and  the  intelligence  of  the  chimpanzee.  "The  orang,"  said  its  keeper  to  the 
writer,  "  is  a  buffoon ;  the  chimpanzee,  a  gentleman." 

It  is  worth  remark  that,  although  all  these  apes  soon  die  in  our  menageries,  in  Calcutta, 
where  they  are  kept  in  the  open,  orangs  thrive  well. 

THE  GIBBONS. 

Next  after  the  great  apes  in  man-like  characters  come  a  few  long-armed,  tailless  apes, 
known  as  the  GIBBONS.  Like  the  orang-utan,  they  live  in  the  great  tropical  forests  of 


Photo  by  Oltomar  Anschiitz] 


[Berlin. 


TWO  BABY  OEANG-UTAXS.      THE  TTJG-OF-WAK. 


Asia,  especially  the  Indian  Archipelago ;  like  the  latter,  they  are  gentle,  affectionate  creatures ; 
and  they  have  also  a  natural  affection  for  man.  But  it  is  in  mind  and  temperament,  rather 
than  in  skeleton,  that  the  links  and  differences  between  men  and  monkeys  must  be  sought. 
It  will  be  found  that  these  forest  apes  differ  from  other  animals  and  from  the  true  monkeys 
mainly  in  this — that  they  are  predisposed  to  be  friendly  to  man  and  to  obey  him,  and  that 
they  have  no  bias  towards  mischief,  or  "  monkey  tricks."  They  are  thoughtful,  well  behaved, 
and  sedate. 

The  SIAMANG,  one  of  the  largest  of  the  long-armed,  tailless  gibbons,  lives  in  the  Malay 
Archipelago.  The  arms  of  a  specimen  only  3  feet  high  measured  5  feet  6  inches  across. 
This,  like  all  the  gibbons,  makes  its  way  from  tree  to  tree  mainly  by  swinging  itself  by  its 
arms.  But  the  siamang  can  walk  upright  and  run.  One  kept  on  board  ship  would  walk 


By  permission  of  Herr  I'mlfinff. 

THE     LARGEST     GORILLA     EVER     CAPTURED. 
This  huge  ape,  5  feet  5  inches  high,  measures  a  distance  of  over  8  feet  from  finger  to  finger. 


Apes,    Monkeys,    and    Lemurs 


[Dotting  llill. 


Photo  by  York  &  Son] 

WHITE-HANDED   GIBBON. 
This  gibbon  is  found  in  the  forests  of  the  Malay  Archipelago. 


down  the  cabin  breakfast-table  without 
upsetting  the  china.  The  WHITE-HANDED 
GIBBON  is  found  in  Tenasserim,  south-west 
of  Burma.  This  ape  has  a  musical  howl, 
which  the  whole  flock  utters  in  the  early 
mornings  on  the  tree-tops.  In  Northern 
India,  in  the  hills  beyond  the  Brahmaputra, 
lives  another  gibbon,  the  H  CLOCK.  One 
of  these  kept  in  captivity  soon  learnt  to 
eat  properly  at  meals,  and  to  drink  out 
of  a  cup,  instead  of  dipping  his  fingers 
in  the  tea  and  milk  and  then  sucking 
them.  The  SILVERY  GIBBON  kept  at  the 
Zoological  Gardens  was  a  most  amiable 

O 

pet,  and  had  all   the   agility  of  the  other 

gibbons.     It  is  very   seldom    seen    in   this 

country,  being   a  native  of  Java,  where  it 

is     said    to     show    the    most    astonishing 

activity  among  the  tall  cane-groves.     One 

of   the    first    ever    brought     to     Engjand 

belonged    to   the   great  Lord  Clive.      The 

AGILE   GIBBON   is   another  and  darker  ape 

of  this  group. 

The  list  of  the  man-like  apes    closes 

with    this    group.      All    the    gibbons    are . 

highly  specialised  for  tree-climbing  and  an 

entirely  arboreal  life;  but  it  is  undeniable  that,  apart  from  the  modifications  necessary  for  this, 

such  as  the  abnormal  length  of  the  arms,  the  skeleton  closely  resembles  that  of  a  human  being. 

In    their    habits,  when  wild,  none  of  these   apes   show  any  remarkable    degree   of  intelligence; 

but  their  living  is  gained  in  so  simple  a 
way,  by  plucking  fruits  and  leaves,  that 
there  is  nothing  in  their  surroundings 
to  stimulate  thought.  They  do  not  need 
even  to  think  of  a  time  of  famine  or 
winter,  or  to  lay  up  a  stock  of  food  for 
such  a  season,  because  they  live  in  the 
forests  under  the  Equator. 

MONKEYS. 
THE  DOG-SHAPED  MONKEYS. 

AFFER  the  gibbons  come  a  vast 
number  of  monkeys  of  every  conceiv- 
able size,  shape,  and  variety,  which 
naturalists  have  arranged  in  consecu- 
tive order  with  fair  success.  Until 
we  reach  the  Baboons,  and  go  on  to 
the  South  American  Monkeys  and 
the  Lemurs,  it  is  not  easy  to  give 
any  idea  of  what  these  monkeys  do 
or  look  like  merely  by  referring  to 
their  scientific  groups.  The  usual 
order  of  natural  histories  will  here  be 


Photo  by  York  Jc  Son\ 


[Kotting  IliU. 


HULOCK  GIBBON. 


The   great  length  of  arm   in   comparison    with   the   body  and  head  should   here 
be  noted. 


1O 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


[London, 


followed,  and  the  descriptions  will, 
so  far  as  possible,  present  the 
habits  and  appearance  of  the 
monkeys  specially  noticed. 

This  great  family  of  true 
monkeys  contains  the  Sacred 
Monkeys,  or  Langurs,  of  India, 
the  Guerezas  and  Guenons  of 
Africa,  the  Mangabeys,  Macaques, 
and  Baboons.  Most  of  them  have 
naked,  hard  patches  of  skin  on  the 
hindquarters,  and  the  partition 
between  the  nostrils  is  narrow. 
Some  have  tails,  some  none,  and 
they  exhibit  the  most  astonishing 
differences  of  size  and  shape. 
Perhaps  the  most  grotesque  and 
astonishing  of  them  all  is  the 
PROBOSCIS  MONKEY.  It  is  allied 
to  the  langurs,  and  is  a  native 
of  the  island  of  Borneo,  to  which 
it  is  confined ;  its  home  is 
the  west  bank  of  the  Sarawak 
River.  It  is  an  arboreal  creature, 
living  in  small  companies.  Mr. 
Hose,  who  saw  them  in  their 
native  haunts,  says  that  the  pro- 
boscis monkeys  kept  in  the  trees 
overhanging  the  river,  and  were 

most  difficult  to  shoot.  "I  saw  altogether  about  150  of  these  monkeys,  and  without  a  single 
exception  all  were  in  trees  over  the  water,  either  lake,  river,  or  in  submerged  forest.  As  long 
as  they  are  in  sight,  they  are  very  conspicuous  objects,  choosing  the  most  commanding  positions 
on  open  tree-tops.  Once  I  saw  thirteen  in  one  tree,  sitting  lazily  on  the  branches,  as  is 
their  habit,  sunning  themselves,  and  enjoying  the  scenery."  They  are  very  striking  animals 
in  colour,  as  well  as  in  form.  The  face  is  cinnamon-brown,  the  sides  marked  with  reddish 
brown  and  white,  the  belly  white,  the  back  red-brown  and  dark  brown.  Next  to  the  orang-utan,, 
these  are  the  most  striking  monkeys  in  the  Malay  Archipelago. 

The  greater  number  of  the  species  intermediate  between  the  gibbons  and  the  New  World 
species  are  called  "DOG-SHAPED"  MONKEYS.  We  wonder  why?  Only  the  baboon  and  a  few 
others  are  in  the  least  like  dogs.  The  various  SACRED  MONKEYS  of  India  are  often  seen  in  this 
country,  and  are  quite  representative  of  the  "miscellaneous"  monkeys  in  general.  Most  of 
them  have  cheek-pouches,  a  useful  monkey-pocket.  They  poke  food  into  their  pouches,  which 
unfold  to  be  filled,  or  lie  flat  when  not  wanted;  and  with  a  pocketful  of  nuts  or  rice  on 
either  side  of  their  faces,  they  can  scream,  eat,  bite,  or  scold  quite  comfortably,  which  they 
could  not  do  with  their  mouths  full.  The  pouchless  monkeys  have  only  their  big  stomachs 
to  rely  on. 

The  ENTELLUS  MONKEY  is  the  most  sacred  of  all  in  India.  It  is  grey  above  and  nutty 
brown  below,  long-legged  and  active,  a  thief  and  an  impudent  robber.  In  one  of  the  Indian 
cities  they  became  such  a  nuisance  that  the  faithful  determined  to  catch  and  send  away  some 
hundreds.  This  was  done,  and  the  holy  monkeys  were  deported  in  covered  carts,  and  released 
many  miles  off.  But  the  monkeys  were  too  clever.  Having  thoroughly  enjoyed  their  ride,  they 
all  refused  to  part  with  the  carts,  and,  hopping  and  grimacing,  came  leaping  all  the  way  back 


Photo  by  A.  S.  Rudland  &  Sons] 

HEAD   OF   PROBOSCIS   MONKEY. 


A    native    of  Borneo.      Next    to    the  orang-utan,  the    most  striking  monkey  in   the 
Malay  Archipelago. 


Apes,    Monkeys,    and    Lemurs 


ii 


beside  them  to  the  city,  grateful  for  their  outing.  One  city  obtained  leave  to  kill  the 
monkeys;  but  the  next  city  then  sued  them  for  "killing  their  deceased  ancestors."  In 
these  monkey-infested  cities,  if  one  man  wishes  to  spite  another,  he  throws  a  few  handfuls 
of  rice  on  to  the  roof  of  his  house  about  the  rainy  season.  The  monkeys  come,  find  the 
rice,  and  quietly  lift  off  many  of  the  tiles  and  throw  them  away,  seeking  more  rice  in  the 
interstices. 

This  is  not  the  monkey  commonly  seen  in  the  hills  and  at  Simla.  The  large  long-tailed 
monkey  there  is  the  HIMALAYAN  LANGUR,  one  of  the  common  animals  of  the  hills.  "  The  langur," 
says  Mr.  Lockwood  Kipling  in  his  "  Beast  and  Man  in  India,"  "  is,  in  his  way,  a  king  of  the 


Photo  by  A.  S.  Rudiand  &  Sons] 


[London* 


CROSS-BEARING   LANGUR  AND   YOUNO. 
A  forest  monkey  of  Borneo. 


jungle,  nor  is  he  often  met  with  in  captivity.  In  some  parts  of  India  troops  of  langurs 
come  bounding  with  a  mighty  air  of  interest  and  curiosity  to  look  at  passing  trains,  their  long 
tails  lifted  like  notes  of  interrogation;  but  frequently,  when  fairly  perched  on  a  wall  or 
tree  alongside,  they  seem  to  forget  all  about  it,  and  avert  their  heads  with  an  affectation 
of  languid  indifference." 

In  India  no  distinction  is  made  between  monkeys.  It  is  ari  abominable  act  of  sacrilege 
to  kill  one  of  any  kind.  In  the  streets  holy  bulls,  calves,  parrakeets,  sparrows,  and  monkeys 
all  rob  the  shops.  One  monkey-ridden  municipality  sent  off  its  inconvenient  but  holy  guests 
by  rail,  advising  the  stationmaster  to  let  them  loose  at  the  place  to  which  they  were  consigned. 


12 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


The  station,  Saharanpur,  was  a  kind  of  Indian  Crewe,  and  the  monkeys  got  into  the  engine- 
sheds  and  workshops  among  the  driving-wheels  and  bands.  One  got  in  the  double  roof  of 
an  inspection-car,  and  thence  stole  mutton,  corkscrews,  camp-glasses,  and  dusters.  Among 
many  other  interesting  and  correct  monkey  stories  of  Mr.  Kipling's  is  the  following  :  "  The 
chief  confectioner  of  Simla  had  prepared  a  most  splendid  bride-cake,  which  was  safely  put  by 
in  a  locked  room,  that,  like  most  back  rooms  in  Simla,  looked  out  on  the  mountain-side.  It 
is  little  use  locking  the  door  when  the  window  is  left  open.  When  they  came  to  fetch  the 
bride-cake,  the  last  piece  of  it  was  being  handed  out  of  the  window  by  a  chain  of  monkeys, 
who  whitened  the  hill-side  with  its  fragments." 

From  India  to  Ceylon  is  no  great  way,  yet  in  the  latter  island  different  monkeys  are  found. 
The  two  best  known  are  the  WHITE-BEARDED  WANDEROO  MONKEY  and  the  GREAT  WANDEROO. 
Both  are  grave,  well-behaved  monkeys.  The  former  has  white  whiskers  and  a  white  beard, 
and  looks  so  wise  he  is  called  in  Latin  Nestor,  after  the  ancient  counsellor  of  the  Greeks. 
Nice,  clean  little  monkeys  are  these,  and  pretty  pets.  The  great  wanderoo  is  rarer.  It  lives 
in  the  hills.  "  A  flock  of  them,"  says  Mr.  Dallas,  "  will  take  possession  of  a  palm-grove,  and 
so  well  can  they  conceal  themselves  in  the  leaves  that  the  whole  party  become  invisible.  The 
presence  of  a  dog  excites  their  irresistible  curiosity,  and  in  order  to  watch  his  movements  they 
never  fail  to  betray  themselves.  They  may  be  seen  congregated  on  the  roof  of  a  native  hut. 
Some  years  ago  the  child  of  a  European  clergyman,  having  been  left  on  the  ground  by  a 
nurse,  was  bitten  and  teased  to  death  by  them.  These  monkeys  have  only  one  wife."  Near 
relatives  of  the  langurs  are  the  two  species  of  SNUB-NOSED  MONKEYS,  one  of  which  (see  figure  on 

page  18)  inhabits  Eastern  Tibet 
and  North-western  China,  and  the 
other  the  valley  of  the  Mekong. 

THE  GUEREZAS  AND  GUENONS. 

Among  the  ordinary  monkeys 
of  the  Old  World  are  some  with 
very  striking  hair  and  colours. 
The  GUEREZA  of  Abyssinia  has 
bright  white-and-black  fur,  with 
long  white  fringes  on  the  sides. 
This  is  the  black-and-white  skin 
fastened  by  the  Abyssinians  to 
their  shields,  and,  if  we  are  not 
wrong,  by  the  Kaffirs  also. 
Among  the  GUENONS,  a  large 
tribe  of  monkeys  living  in  the 
African  forests,  many  of  which 
find  their  way  here  as  "  organ 
monkeys,"  is  the  DIANA,  a  most 
beautiful  creature,  living  on  the 
Guinea  Coast.  It  has  a  white 
crescent  on  its  forehead,  bluish- 
grey  fur,  a  white  beard,  and  a 
patch  of  brilliant  chestnut  on 
the  back,  the  belly  white  and 
orange.  A  lady,  Mrs.  Bowditch, 
gives  the  following  account  of 
a  Djana  monkey  on  board  ship. 
MALE  HIMALAYAN  LANGUID  It  jumped  on  to  her  shoulder. 

A  king  of  the  jungle,  not  of  ten  met  within  captirity.  Stared     into      her     face,      and      then 


[London. 


GELADA  BABOONS  AT   HOME. 

This  photograph  is  probably  unique,  as  a  gelada  baboon  has  been  rarely  seen.     It  shows  them  at  home  looking  for  food  on  the  ground  under  the 
bamboos  and  palms.     It  was  taken  by  Lord  Delamere  in  the  East  African  jungle. 

13 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


made  friends,  seated  itself  on  her  knees, 
and  carefully  examined  her  hands.  "  He 
then  tried  to  pull  off  my  rings,  when  I 
gave  him  some  biscuits,  and  making  a 
bed  for  him  with  my  handkerchief  he 
then  settled  himself  comfortably  to  sleep ; 
and  from  that  moment  we  were  sworn 
allies.  When  mischievous,  he  was  often 
banished  to  a  hen-coop.  Much  more 
effect  was  produced  by  taking  him  in 
sight  of  the  panther,  who  always  seemed 
most  willing  to  devour  him.  On  these 
occasions  I  held  him  by  the  tail  before 
the  cage ;  but  long  before  I  reached  it, 
knowing  where  he  was  going,  he  pre- 
tended to  be  dead.  His  eyes  were  closed 
quite  fast,  and  every  limb  was  as  stiff 
as  though  there  were  no  life  in  him. 
When  taken  away,  he  would  open  one 
eye  a  little,  to  see  whereabouts  he 
might  be;  but  if  he  caught  sight  of 
the  panther's  cage  it  was  instantly  closed, 
and  he  became  as  stiff  as  before."  This 
monkey  stole  the  men's  knives,  tools, 
and  handkerchiefs,  and  even  their  caps, 
which  he  threw  into  the  sea.  He  would 
carefully  feed  the  parrots,  chewing  up 
biscuit  and  presenting  them  the  bits ; 
and  he  caught  another  small  monkey 
and  painted  it  black !  Altogether,  he 
must  have  enlivened  the  voyage.  The 
GRIVET  MONKEY,  the  GREEN  MONKEY,  the 
MONA  MONKEY,  and  the  MANGABEY  are 
other  commonly  seen  African  species. 

THE  MACAQUES. 

The  MACAQUES,  of  which  there  are  many  kinds,  from  the  Rock  of  Gibraltar  to  far  Japan, 
occupy  the  catalogue  between  the  guenon  and  the  baboon.  The  COMMON  MACAQUE  and  many 
others  have  tails.  Those  of  Japan,  and  some  of  those  of  China,  notably  the  TCIJELI  MONKEY, 
kept  outside  the  monkey-house  at  the  Zoo,  and  the  JAPANESE  MACAQUE,  at  the  other  entrance, 
are  tailless,  and  much  more  like  anthropoid  apes.  The  Tcheli  monkey  is  large  and  powerful, 
but  other  macaques  are  of  all  sizes  down  to  little  creatures  no  bigger  than  a  kitten.  Some 
live  in  the  hottest  plains,  others  in  the  mountains.  The  COMMON  MACAQUE,  found  in  the 
Malay  Archipelago,  is  a  strong,  medium-sized  monkey.  The  FORMOSAN  MACAQUE  is  a  rock- 
living  creature;  those  of  Japan  inhabit  the  pine- groves,  and  are  fond  of  pelting  any  one 
who  passes  with  stones  and  fir-cones.  The  BONNET  MACAQUE  is  an  amusing  little  beast,  very 
fond  of  hugging  and  nursing  others  in  captivity.  The  BANDAR  or  RHESUS  MONKEY,  a  common 
species,  also  belongs  to  this  group.  But  the  most  interesting  to  Europeans  is  the  MAGOT,  or 
BARBAUY  APE.  It  is  the  last  monkey  left  in  Europe.  There  it  only  lives  on  the  Rock  of 
Gibraltar.  It  was  the  monkey  which  Galen  is  said  to  have  dissected,  because  he  was  not 
permitted  to  dissect  a  human  body.  These  monkeys  are  carefully  preserved  upon  the  Rock. 
Formerly,  when  they  were  more  common,  they  were  very  mischievous.  The  following  story  was 


Photo  ly  A.  S.  Rudland  <b  Sons] 

MANTLED   GUEREZA. 


[Lorn  Ion. 


This  group  of  monkeys  supplies  the  "  monkey  muffs  "  once  very  fashionable.    The 
species  with  white  plumes  is  used  to  decorate  the  Kaffir  shields. 


Apes,   Monkeys,    and    Lemurs 


Pkoto  by  L.  Mcdlaud,  F.Z.S.]  [A'ort/i  Finc/tley. 

DIANA   MONKEY. 
One  of  the  most  gaily  coloured  monkeys  of  Africa. 


THE  BABOONS. 

Far  the  most  interesting  of  the  apes  in 
the  wild  state  are  the  BABOONS.  Their  dog- 
like  heads  (which  in  some  are  so  large  and 
hideous  that  they  look  like  a  cross  between 
an  ill-tempered  dog  and  a  pig),  short  bodies, 
enormously  strong  arms,  and  loud  barking 
cry  distinguish  them  from  all  other  creatures. 
The  greater  number — for  there  are  many 
kinds — live  in  the  hot,  dry,  stony  parts  of 
Africa.  They  are  familiar  figures  from  the 
cliffs  of  Abyssinia  to  the  Cape,  where  their 
bold  and  predatory  bands  still  occupy  Table 
Mountain.  They  are  almost  the  only  animals 
which  the  high-contracting  Powers  of  Africa 
have  resolved  not  to  protect  at  any  season, 
so  mischievous  are  they  to  crops,  and  recently 
to  the  flocks.  They  kill  the  suckling  lambs, 
and  tear  them  to  pieces  for  the  sake  of  the 
milk  contained  in  their  bodies. 

One  of  the  best-known  baboons  is  the 
CHACMA  of  South  Africa.  The  old  males  grow 
to  a  great  size,  and  are  most  formidable 
creatures.  Naturally,  they  are  very  seldom 
caught;  but  one  very  large  one  is  in  the 
Zoological  Gardens,  Regent's  Park,  at  the  time 
of  writing.  The  keeper  declares  he  would 
rather  go  into  a  lion's  cage  than  into  the  den 
of  this  beast  when  angry.  Its  head  is  neaily 
one-third  of  its  total  length  from  nose  to  the 
root  of  the  tail.  Its  jaw-power  is  immense, 
and  its  forearm  looks  as  strong  as  Sandow's. 


told  by  Mr.  Bidcup :  "The  apes  of  the 
Rock,  led  by  one  particular  monkey,  were 
always  stealing  from  the  kit  of  ascertain 
regiment  encamped  there.  At  last  the 
soldiers  caught  the  leader,  shaved  his  head 
and  face,  and  turned  him  loose.  His  friends, 
who  had  been  watching,  received  him  with 
a  shower  of  sticks  and  stones.  In  these 
desperate  circumstances  the  ape  sneaked 
back  to  his  old  enemies,  the  soldiers,  with 
whom  he  remained."  Lord  Heathfield,  a 
former  Governor  of  the  Rock,  would  never  let 
them  be  hurt ;  and  on  one  occasion,  when 
the  Spaniards  were  attempting  a  surprise,  the 
noise  made  by  the  apes  gave  notice  of  their 
attempt. 


"halo  by  G.  W.  Wilion  &  Co.,  Ltd.} 

BARBARY   APE. 

The  last  of  the  European  monkeys  ;  on  this  side  of  the  Mediterranean 
it  is  only  found  on  the  Rock  of  Gibraltar. 


i6 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


Photo  by  C.  Reid]  [Wi»haw,  N.B. 

RHESUS   MONKEY. 
A  young  specimen  of  the  common  Bengal  monkey. 


Like  all  monkeys,  this  creature  has  the  power  of 
springing  instantaneously  from  a  sitting  position  ;  and 
its  bite  would  cripple  anything  from  a  man  to  a 
leopard.  The  chacmas  live  in  companies  in  the  kopjes, 
whence  they  descend  to  forage  the  mealie-grounds, 
river-beds,  and  bush.  Thence  they  come  down  to  steal 
fruit  and  pumpkins  or  corn,  turn  over  the  stones  and 
catch  beetles,  or  eat  locusts.  Their  robbing  expedi- 
tions are  organised.  Scouts  keep  a  look-out,  the 
females  and  young  are  put  in  the  centre,  and  the 
retreat  is  protected  by  the  old  males.  Children  in 
the  Cape  Colony  are  always  warned  not  to  go  out 
when  the  baboons  are  near.  When  irritated — and 
they  are  very  touchy  in  their  tempers — the  whole 
of  the  males  will  sometimes  charge  and  attack.  The 
possibility  of  this  is  very  unpleasant,  and  renders 
people  cautious. 

Not  many  years  ago  a  well-known  sportsman 
was  shooting  in  Somaliland.  On  the  other  side  of 
a  rocky  ravine  was  a  troop  of  baboons  of  a  species 
of  which  no  examples  were  in  the  British  Museum. 
Though  he  knew  the  danger,  he  was  tempted  to  shoot 

and  to  secure  a  skin.  At  200  yards  he  killed  one  dead,  which  the  rest  did  not  notice.  Then 
he  hit  another  and  wounded  it.  The  baboon  screamed,  and  instantly  the  others  sat  up,  saw 
the  malefactor,  and  charged  straight  for  him.  Most  fortunately,  they  had  to  scramble  down 
the  ravine  and  up  again,  by  which  time  the  sportsman  and  his  servant  had  put  such  a 
distance  between  them,  making  "very  good  time  over  the  flat,''  that  the  baboons  contented 
themselves  by  barking  defiance  at  them  when  they  reached  the  level  ground. 

They  are  the  only  mammals  which  thoroughly  understand  combination  for  defence  as 
well  as  attack.  But  Brehm,  the  German  traveller,  gives  a  charming  story  of  genuine  courage 
and  self-sacrifice  shown  by  one.  His  hunting  dogs  gave  chase  to  a  troop  which  was  retreating 
to  some  cliffs,  and  cut  off  a  very  young  one,  which  ran  up  on  to  a  rock,  only  just  out  of 
reach  of  the  dogs.  An  old  male  baboon  saw  this,  and  came  alone  to  the  rescue.  Slowly 

and  deliberately  he  descended, 
crossed  the  open  space,  and 
stamping  his  hands  on  the  ground, 
showing  his  teeth,  and  backed  by 
the  furious  barks  of  the  rest  of 
the  baboons,  he  disconcerted  and 
cowed  these  savage  dogs,  climbed 
on  to  the  rock,  picked  up  the 
baby,  and  carried  him  back  safely. 
If  the  dogs  had  attacked  the  old 
patriarch,  his  tribe  would  probably 
have  helped  him.  Burchell,  the 
naturalist  after  whom  Burchell's 
zebra  is  named,  let  his  dogs  chase 
a  troop.  The  baboons  turned  on 
them,  killed  one  on  the  spot  by 
biting  through  the  great  blood- 
vessels of  the  neck,  and  laid  bare 
the  ribs  of  another.  The  Cape 


Photo  ly  A.  S.  liudland  J:  Sons] 

RHESUS   MONKEY   AND   SOOTY   MANGABEY. 


[London. 


The  sooty  mangabey  (to  the  right  of  the  picture)  is  gentle  and  companionable,  but  petulant 

and  active. 


Apes,    Monkeys,    and    Lemurs 


Photo  by  L.  Medland,  F.Z.S.,  North  finchtey. 
GREY-CHEEKED   MANGABEY. 
One  of  the  small  African  monkeys. 


Photo  by  A.  S.  Rudland  <fc  Sons,  London. 

CHINESE   MACAQUE. 

This  monkey  lives  in  a  climate  as   cold  as  that 
of  England. 


Dutch  in  the  Old  Colony 
would  rather  let  their 
dogs  bait  a  lion  than 
a  troop  of  baboons. 
The  rescue  of  the  infant 
chacma  which  Brehm 
saw  himself  is  a  remark- 
able, and  indeed  the 
most  incontestable, 
instance  of  the  exhi- 
bition of  courage  and 
self-sacrifice  by  a  male 
animal. 

If  the  baboons 
were  not  generally 
liable  to  become  bad- 
tempered  when  they 
grow  old,  they  could 
probably  be  trained  to 

be  among  the  most  useful  of  animal  helpers  and  servers :  but  they  are  so  formidable, 
and  so  uncertain  in  temper,  that  they  are  almost  too  dangerous  for  attempts  at  semi- 
domestication.  When  experiments  have  been  made,  they  have  had  remarkable  results.  Le 
Vaillant,  one  of  the  early  explorers  in  South  Africa,  had  a  chacma  baboon  which  was  a  better 
watch  than  any  of  his  dogs.  It  gave  warning  of  any  creature  approaching  the  camp  at 
night  long  before  the  dogs  could  hear  or  smell  it.  He  took  it  out  with  him  when  he  was 
shooting,  and  used  to  let  it  collect  edible  roots  for  him.  The  latest  example  of  a  trained 
baboon  only  died  a  few  years  ago.  It  belonged  to  a  railway  signalman  at  Uitenhage  station, 
about  200  miles  up-country  from  Port  Elizabeth,  in  Cape  Colony.  The  man  had  the 
misfortune  to  undergo  an  operation  in  which  both  his  feet  were  amputated,  after  being 
crushed  by  the  wheels  of  a  train.  Being  an  ingenious  fellow,  he  taught  his  baboon,  which  was 
a  full-grown  one,  to  pull  him  along  the  line  on  a  trolly  to  the  "distant"  signal.  There  the 
baboon  stopped  at  the  word  of  command,  and  the  man  would  work  the  lever  himself.  But  in 
time  he  taught  the  baboon  to  do  it,  while  he  sat  on  the  trolly,  ready  to  help  if  any  mistake 

were  made. 

The  chacmas  have  for 
relations  a  number  of 
other  baboons  in  the  rocky 
parts  of  the  African  Conti- 
nent, most  of  which  have 
almost  the  same  habits, 
and  are  not  very  different 
in  appearance.  Among 
them  is  the  GELADA 
BABOON,  a  species  very 
common  in  the  rocky  high- 
lands of  Abyssinia ;  another 
is  the  ANUBIS  BABOON  of 
the  West  Coast  of  Africa. 
The  latter  is  numerous 
round  the  Portuguese 
settlement  of  Angola. 
Whether  the  so-called 


Photo  by  York  <fc  Son,  dotting  Hill. 
GRIVET   MONKEY. 


This  is  the  small  monkey  commonly  taken  about 
with  street-organs. 


Photo  by  A.  S.  Rudland  £  Sons,  London. 

BONNET  MONKEY,  AND  ARABIAN 

BABOON  (ON  THE  RIGHT). 

3 


18 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


Photo  by  L.  Medland  f.Z.S.] 

RHESUS   MONKEYS. 


[North  Finchley. 


This  photograph  is  particularly  interesting.     It  was  actually  taken  by  another 
monkey,  which  pressed  the  button  of  Mr.  Medland's  camera. 


COMMON  BABOON  of  the  menageries  is  a 
separate  species  or  only  the  young  of  some 
one  of  the  above-mentioned  is  not  very 
clear.  But  about  another  variety  there 
can  be  no  doubt.  It  has  been  separated 
from  the  rest  since  the  days  of  the 
Pharaohs.  It  does  not  differ  in  habits 
from  the  other  baboons,  but  inhabits  the 
rocky  parts  of  the  Nile  Valley.  It  appears 
in  Egyptian  mythology  under  the  name 
of  Thoth,  and  is  constantly  seen  in  the 
sculptures  and  hieroglyphs. 

Equally  strong  and  far  more  repulsive 
are  the  two  baboons  of  West  Africa — the 
DRILL  and  the  MANDRILL.  As  young 
specimens  of  these  beasts  are  the  only 
ones  at  all  easily  caught,  and  these  nearly 
always  die  when  cutting  their  second  teeth 
when  in  captivity,  large  adult  mandrills  are 
seldom  seen  in  Europe.  They  grow  to  a 

great  size,  and  are   probably  the  most  hideous  of  all  beasts.      The    frightful   nose,    high  cheek- 
bones, and  pig-like  eyes  are  the  basis  of  the  horrible  heads  of  devils  and  goblins  which  Albert 

Diirer  and  other  German  or   Dutch    mediaeval  painters    sometimes   put  on  canvas.     Add   to  the 

figure    the    misplaced    bright    colours — cobalt-blue  on  the  cheeks,  which  are  scarred,  as  if  by  a 

rake,    with    scarlet    furrows,    and 

scarlet   on    the   buttocks — and    it 

will  be  admitted  that  nature  has 

invested    this    massive,    powerful, 

and  ferocious  baboon  with   a  re- 

pulsiveness  equalling  in  complete- 
ness  the   extremes   of  grace   and 

beauty  manifested  in  the  roe-deer 

or  the  bird  of  paradise. 

The    natives    of  Guinea   and 

other  parts  of   West  Africa    have 

consistent     accounts     that     the 

mandrills  have  tried   to    carry  off 

females  and  children.      They  live 

in      troops      like     the     chacinas, 

plunder   the   fields,    and,  like    all 

baboons,    spend    much    time    on 

the   ground  walking  on    all-fours. 

When  doing  this,  they  are    quite 

unlike  any  other  creatures.     They 

walk   slowly,  with  the   head  bent 

downwards,  like  a  person  walking 

on  hands  and  knees  looking  for  a 

pin.      With    the    right   hand 

(usually)    they    turn     over    every 

stick  and  stone,  looking  for  insects,  Photo  by  A_  s,  Rutland  &  sons] 

scorpions,  or  snails,  and  these  they  ORANGE  SNUB-NOSED  MONKEY. 

Seize  and  eat.      The  Writer  has  Seen  This  should  be  contrasted  with  the  Proboscis  Monkey. 


Apes,    Monkeys,    and    Lemurs 


baboons  picking  up  sand,  and  straining  it  through  their  fingers,  to  see  if  there  were  ants  in 
it.  He  has  also  seen  one  hold  up  sand  in  the  palm  of  its  hand,  and  blow  the  dust  away  with 
its  breath,  and  then  look  again  to  see  if  anything  edible  were  left.  Mandrills  kept  in 
captivity  until  adult  become  very  savage.  One  in  Wombwell's  menagerie  killed  another  monkey 
and  a  beagle.  Mr.  Cross  owned  one  which  would  sit  in  an  armchair,  smoke,  and  drink  porter ; 
but  these  convivial  accomplishments  were  accompanied  by  a  most  ferocious  temper. 

One  of  the  earliest  accounts  of  the  habits  of  the  Abyssinian  baboons  was  given  by  Ludolf 
in  his  "  History  of  Ethiopia."  It  was  translated  into  quaint,  but  excellent  old  English :  "  Of 
Apes,"  he  says,  "there  are  infinite  flocks  up  and  down  in  the  mountains,  a  thousand  and 
more  together,  and  they  leave  no  stone  unturned.  If  they  meet  with  one  that  two  or  three 
cannot  lift  they  call  for  more  aid,  and  all  for  the  sake  of  the  Worms  that  lye  under,  a  sort 
of  dyet  which  they  relish  exceedingly.  They  are  very  greedy  after  Emmets.  So  that  having 


Photo  by  Ottomar  Aiiscltutz] 


[Berlin. 


PIG-TAILED   MONKEY 
"  Footing  the  line."    Note  how  the  monkey  uses  its  feet  as  hands  when  walking  on  a  branch. 

found  an  emmet  hill,  they  presently  surround  it,  and  laying  their  fore  paws  with  the  hollow 
downward  upon  the  ant  heap,  as  soon  as  the  Emmets  creep  into  their  treacherous  palms  they 
lick  'em  off,  with  great  comfort  to  their  stomachs.  And  there  they  will  lye  till  there  is  not  an 
Emmet  left.  They  are  also  pernicious  to  fruits  and  apples,  and  will  destroy  whole  fields  and 
gardens  unless  they  be  looked  after.  For  they  are  very  cunning,  and  will  never  venture  in 
till  the  return  of  their  spies,  which  they  send  always  before,  who,  giving  all  information  that 
it  is  safe,  in  they  rush  with  their  whole  body  and  make  a  quick  despatch.  Therefore  they  go 
very  quiet  and  silent  to  their  prey;  and  if  their  young  ones  chance  to  make  a  noise,  they 
chastise  them  with  their  fists;  but  if  the  coast  is  clear,  then  every  one  has  a  different  nou 
to  express  his  joy."  Ludolf  clearly  means  the  baboons  by  this  description. 

A  more  ancient  story  deals  with  Alexander's  campaigns.  He  encamped  on  a  mountain  on 
which  were  numerous  bands  of  monkeys  (probably  baboons).  On  the  following  morning  the 
sentries  saw  what  looked  like  troops  coming  to  offer  them  battle.  As  they  had  just  won  a 


2O 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


victory,  they  were  at  a  loss 
to  guess  who  these  new  foes 
might  be.  The  alarm  was 
given,  and  the  Macedonian 
troops  set  out  in  battle-array. 
Ihen  through  the  morning 
mists  they  saw  that  the 
enemy  was  an  immense  troop 
of  monkeys.  Their  prisoners, 
who  knew  what  the  alarm 
was  caused  by,  made  no  small 
sport  of  the  Macedonians. 

THE  SPEECH  OF  MONKEYS. 

Something  should  be  said 
of  the  alleged  "  speech  of 
monkeys "  which  Professor 
Garner  believed  himself  to 
have  discovered.  He  rightly 
excluded  mere  sounds  showing 
joy,  desire,  or  sorrow  from  the 
faculty  of  speech,  but  claimed 
to  have  detected  special  words, 
one  meaning  "food,"  another 
"drink,"  another  "give  me 
that,"  .another  meaning 
"  monkey,"  or  an  identification 
of  a  second  animal  or  monkey. 
He  used  a  phonograph  to  keep 
permanent  record  of  the 
sounds,  and  made  an  expe- 
dition to  the  West  African 

forests  in  the  hope  that  he  might  induce  the  large  anthropoid  apes  to  answer  the  sounds 
which  are  so  often  uttered  by  their  kind  in  our  menageries.  The  enterprise  ended,  as  might 
have  been  expected,  in  failure.  Nor  was  it  in  the  least  necessary  to  go  and  sit  in  a  cage  in 
an  African  forest  in  the  hope  of  striking  up  an  acquaintance  with  the  native  chimpanzees.  The 
little  Capuchin  monkeys,  whose  voices  and  sounds  he  had  ample  opportunity  of  observing  here, 
give  sufficient  material  for  trying  experiments  in  the  meaning  of  monkey  sounds.  The  writer 
believes  that  it  is  highly  probable  that  the  cleverer  monkeys  have  a  great  many  notes  or 
sounds  which  the  others  do  understand,  if  only  because  they  make  the  same  under  similar 
circumstances,  otherwise  they  would  not  utter  them.  They  are  like  the  sounds  which  an 
intelligent  but  nearly  dumb  person  might  make.  Also  they  have  very  sharp  ears,  and  some 
of  them  can  understand  musical  sounds,  so  far  as  to  show  a  very  marked  attention  to  them. 
The  following  account  of  an  experiment  of  this  kind,  when  a  violin  was  being  played,  is  related 
in  "  Life  at  the  Zoo " :  "  The  Capuchin  monkeys,  the  species  selected  by  Professor  Garner 
for  his  experiments  in  monkey  language,  showed  the  strangest  and  most  amusing  excitement. 
These  pretty  little  creatures  have  very  expressive  and  intelligent  faces,  and  the  play  and 
mobility  of  their  faces  and  voices  while  listening  to  the  music  were  extraordinarily  rapid. 
The  three  in  the  first  cage  at  once  rushed  up  into  their  box,  and  then  all  peeped  out,  chattering 
and  excited.  One  by  one  they  came  down,  and  listened  to  the  music  with  intense  curiosity, 
shrieking  and  making  faces  at  a  crescendo,  shaking  the  wires  angrily  at  a  discord,  and 


Photo  by  Ottomar  AnsckGiz]  [JJerlin. 

CHACMA   BABOON. 
This  photograph  shows  his  attitude  when  about  to  make  an  attack. 


Photo  by  C.  Reid]  {WiiUaw,  N.B. 

A  YOUNG  MALE  CHACMA  BABOON. 

Note  the  protruding  tusk  in  the  upper  jaw.     A  baboon  sitting  in  this  position  of  rest  can  instantly  leap  six  or  seven  feet,  and  inflict  a 

dangerous  bite. 

21 


22 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


putting  their  heads  almost  upside-down  in 
efforts  at  acute  criticism  at  low  and  musical 
passages.  Every  change  of  note  was  marked 
by  some  alteration  of  expression  in  the  faces 
of  the  excited  little  monkeys,  and  a  series  of 
discordant  notes  roused  them  to  a  passion 
of  rage."  At  the  same  time  a  big  baboon, 
chained  up  near,  evidently  disliked  it.  He 
walked  off  in  the  opposite  direction  to  the 
farthest  limits  of  his  chain. 

THE  NEW  WORLD  MONKEYS. 

Mention  of  the  Capuchins  takes  us  to 
the  whole  group  of  the  New  World  Monkeys. 
Nearly  all  of  these  live  in  the  tropical  forests 
of  Brazil,  Guiana,  Venezuela,  and  Mexico. 
They  are  all  different  from  the  Old  World 
monkeys,  and  many  are  far  more  beautiful. 
The  most  attractive  of  the  hardier  kinds 
are  the  Capuchins  ;  but  there  are  many 
kinds  of  rare  and  delicate  little  monkeys 
more  beautiful  than  any  squirrel,  which 
would  make  the  most  delightful  pets  in  the 
world,  if  they  were  not  so  delicate.  To 
{London.  try  to  describe  the  Old  World  monkeys  in 

separate  groups  from  end  to  end  is  rather  a 
hopeless  task.  But  the  American  monkeys 
are  more  manageable  by  the  puzzled  amateur. 
Most  of  them  have  a  broad  and  marked 

division  between  the  nostrils,  which  are  not  mere  slits  close  together,  but  like  the  nostrils 
of  men.  They  also  have  human-looking  rounded  heads.  Their  noses  are  of  the  "  cogitative  " 

order,     instead      of     being 

snouts  or  snubs  with  narrow 

openings  in  them;  and  the 

whole  face  is  in  many  ways 

human  and  intelligent.    Th'e 

HOWLER     MONKEYS,   which 

utter    the    most    hideous 

sounds    ever   heard    in    the 

forests,      and     the     SPIDER 

MONKEYS    are    the    largest. 

The   latter    have    the   most 

wonderfully     developed 

limbs  and  tails  for  catching 

and  climbing  of  any  living 

animals.    As  highly  special- 

ised    creatures    are    always 

interesting,  visitors    to   any 

zoological    garden    will   find 

j£    Worth    while     to     Watch     a 

. 
Spider        monkey       climbing, 


Photo  by  A.  S.  Rudland  &  Sons] 

HEAD   OF   MALE  MANDRILL. 

This  is  one  of  the  most  hideous  of  living  animals.  The  natives  ef 
West  Africa  hold  it  in  greater  dislike  even  than  the  large  carnivora,  from 
the  mischief  which  it  does  to  their  crops. 


Photo  iy  L.  Mcdiand,  F.Z.S.,  North  Fin 
BROWN  CAPUCHIN. 


The  most  intelligent  of  the  common  monkeys 
of  the  New  World.  It  uses  many  sounds  to 
express  emotions,  and  perhaps  desires. 


Photo  by  L.  Medland,  F.Z.S.,  Korth  Flnchley. 
DBILL. 

Only  less  ugly  than  the  Mandrill.     Its  habits  are 
the  same. 


Apes    Monkeys,    and    Lemurs 


[London 


Photo  by  A.  S.  Rudland  cfc  Sons] 

RED   HOWLER  MONKEY. 

The  males  possess  a  most  extraordinary  voice. 


just  as  it  is  always  worth  while  to  watch  a  great 
snake  on  the  move.  The  tail  is  used  as  a  fifth 
hand  :  the  Indians  of  Brazil  say  they  catch  fish  with 
it,  which  is  not  true.  But  if  you  watch  a  spider 
monkey  moving  from  tree  to  tree,  his  limbs  and  tail 
move  like  the  five  fingers  of  a  star-fish.  Each  of 
the  extremities  is  as  sensitive  as  a  hand,  far  longer 
in  proportion  than  an  ordinary  man's  arm,  and 
apparently  able  to  work  independently  of  joints.  The 
monkey  can  do  so  many  things  at  once  that  no 
juggler  can  equal  it.  It  will  hold  fruit  in  one  hand, 
pick  more  with  one  foot,  place  food  to  the  mouth 
with  another  hand,  and  walk  and  swing  from  branch 
to  branch  with  the  other  foot  and  tail,  all  simultane- 
ously. These  monkeys  have  no  visible  thumb,  though 
dissection  shows  that  they  have  a  rudimentary  one ; 
but  the  limbs  are  so  flexible  that  they  can  put  one 
arm  round  behind  their  heads  over  on  to  the  opposite 
shoulder,  and  brush  the  fur  on  their  upper  arm. 

The    end    of  the    tail   seems   always    "feeling"    the    air    or    surroundings,    and    has    hairs,   thin 

and    long,    at   the    end,    which    aid  it   in   knowing    when  'it   is   near   a   leaf  or   branch.      It    is 

almost    like    the  tentacle    of  some    sea   zoophyte.        Gentle    creatures,    all    of    them,    are    these 

spider  monkeys.     One   of  them,  of  the  species    called  WAITA,  when  kept  in  captivity,  wore   the 

fur    off  its   forehead  by   rubbing   its   long   gaunt   arms   continually  over  its   brow   whenever   it 

was    scolded.     The    spider   monkeys   differ   only   in   the    degree   of  spidery  slenderness   in   their 

limbs.      In   disposition   they  are   always   amiable,    and    in   habits   tree-climbers   and   fruit-eaters. 
The  CAPUCHINS  are,  in  the  writer's  opinion,  the 

nicest  of  all  monkeys.      Many   species   are    known, 

but   all   have   the   same   round   merry  faces,  bright 

eyes,  pretty  fur,  and   long   tails.      There   is  always 

a    fair   number    at   the  Zoological   Gardens.      They 

are    merry,  but    full   of  fads.       One  hates  children 

and  loves  ladies;    another  adores  one  or   two   other 

monkeys,    and   screams   at   the   rest.     All   are  fond 

of  insects  as  well  as  of  fruit.     A  friend  of  the  writer 

kept   one   in   a   large   house   in   Leicestershire.      It 

was   not    very   good-tempered,    but    most   amusing, 

climbing   up  the  blind-cord  first,  and  catching  and 

eating  the  flies  on  the  window-panes  most  dexterously, 

always  avoiding  the  wasps.     This  monkey  was  taught 

to  put  out  a  lighted  paper  (a  useful  accomplishment) 

by  dashing   its    hands   on   to   the  burning  part,  or, 

if   the  paper    were    twisted  up,  by  taking  the   un- 

lighted  end  and  beating   the   burning  part   on  the 

ground ;  and  it  was  very  fond  of  turning  the  leaves 

of  any  large  book.     This  it  did  not  only  by  vigorous 

use   of  both   arms   and   hands,  but   by   putting   its 

head  under  too,  and  "heaving"  the  leaves  over. 
In  the  private  room  behind  the  monkey-house 

at  the  Zoo  there  are  always  a  number  of  the  rare 

and     delicate      monkeys      from     the    New    World, 

which    cannot    stand    the    draughts    of    the    outer  acts  as  a  fifth  hand. 


"Sr 


Photo  ly  A.  S.  Rudland  &  Soni]  [.London. 

A  SPIDER  MONKEY 
This  monkey   is  specially  adapted  for  arboreal  life.     The   tail 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


Photo  by  Scholastic  Photo.  Co.]  [Parson's  Ureen. 

PATAS   MONKEY. 
Found  in  West  Africa.    A  large  and  brilliantly  coloured  species. 


house,  like  the  Capuchins  and  spider  monkeys. 
The  greater  number  of  these  come  from 
tropical  America.  There,  in  the  mighty 
forests,  so  lofty  that  no  man  can  climb  the 
trees,  so  dense  that  there  is  a  kind  of  upper 
storey  on  the  interlaced  tree-tops,  where  nearly 
all  the  birds  and  many  mammals  live  without 
descending  to  earth,  forests  in  which  there 
is  neither  summer  nor  winter,  but  only  the 
changes  from  hour  to  hour  of  the  equatorial 
day,  the  exquisite  MARMOSETS,  whose  fur  looks 
like  the  plumage  and  whose  twittering  voices 
imitate  the  notes  of  birds,  live  and  have  their 
being.  They  are  all  much  alike  in  shape, 
except  that  the  LION  MARMOSET'S  mane  is  like 
that  of  a  little  lion  clad  in  floss  silk ;  and 
they  all  have  sharp  little  claws,  and  feed  on 
insects.  The  PINCHE  MARMOSET  from  the 
Guiana  forests  has  a  face  like  a  black  Indian 
chief,  with  white  plumes  over  his  head  and 
neck  like  those  worn  by  a  "  brave "  in  full 
war-paint.  Merchants  who  do  business  with 
Brazil  very  frequently  import  marmosets  and 
the  closely  allied  tamarins  as  presents  for 
friends  in  England;  the  Brazilians  them- 
selves like  to  have  them  as  pets  also ;  so 

there  is  to  some  extent  a  trade  demand  for  them. 

Among  the  most  delicate   of  American   monkeys  are  the 

OUKARIS,  which  have  somewhat  human  faces,  exquisite  soft  fur, 

and   are    as  gentle  as  most   of  these   forest  creatures.      They 

seldom  live  long  in  captivity,  a  few  months   being  as  much 

as  they  will   generally   endure,  even   in  Brazil.     Perhaps  the 

rarest  of  all  is  the  white-haired  SCARLET-FACED  OUKARI.     This 

monkey    has    long    white    hair    from     neck    to    tail,    sandy 

whiskers,   and   a   bright    scarlet   face.     It   lives    in    a   district 

of  partly  flooded  forest,  and  is  only  obtained  by  the  Indians 

using  blow-pipes    and    arrows   dipped    in    very   diluted    urari 

poison.      The  WHITE-HEADED  SAKI  is   a  rare  and   very  pretty 

little    monkey   of  Brazil ;  and  there  are  a  very  large  number 

of   other    species    of  this    group    whose   names    it    would    be 

mere    weariness    to    mention.     All   these    small   monkeys    are 

very    quick    and    intelligent,    while    the     rapidity    of    their 

movements,      their      ever-changing      expression,     and     sharp, 

eager   cries   heighten   the   idea   of  cleverness    given    by  their 

general  appearance.      Other   little    imps    of  these   forests   are 

the   SQUIRREL  MONKEYS.      In  the   common   species   the   face 

is    like    a    little   furry    man's,    its    arms    brilliant    yellow    (as 

if    dipped    in    gamboge    dye),    the    cheeks   pink,    and    eyes 

black.      In    habits    it   is   a   quick-tempered,    imperious    little 

creature,  carnivorous,    and  a  great  devourer  of  butterflies  and 

beetles. 


Pkoto  by  V.  Reid\  [  Wishaw,  M.B. 

WANDEROO  MONKEY. 


The  number  of  monkeys  which  have  leonine 
manes  is  large.     The  manes  act  as  capes  to  keep 


The      most      beautiful      and     entertaining     Of    all      monkeys          the  dew  and  wet  from  their  chests  and  shoulders. 


Photo  by  A.  S.  Kudtand  d:  Sons. 

COMMON  SQUIRREL   MONKEY. 

The  squirrel  monkeys  have  soft,  bright-coloured  fur,  and  long,  hairy  tails.     They  are  found  from  Mexico  to  Paraguay. 

25 


26 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


Photo  by  A.  S.  Rudland  &  Sons. 

BLACK-EARED  MARMOSET. 

These  are  among  the  prettiest  of  small  tropical  monkeys  from  the  New  World.     1  hey 
are  insect-feeders,  and  very  delicate. 


are    these    New    World    species.      No 

person  clever  at   interpreting  the  ways 

of  animals  would  fail  to  consider  them 

far  more   clever  and   sympathetic  than 

the  melancholy  anthropoid  apes,  while 

for  appearance    they   have    no   equals. 

Probably  the   most   attractive   monkey 

in   Europe   is   a   South   American    one 

now  in  the  London  Zoological  Gardens. 

It  was  first  mentioned  to  Europeans  by 

Baron  von  Humboldt,  who  saw  it  in  the 

cabin   of    an   Indian    on    the   Orinoco. 

These  forest  Indians  of  South  America 

are  gentle  creatures  themselves.    Among 

other   amiable   qualities,    they    have   a 

passion    for   keeping    pets.      One    who 

worked  for  a  friend  of  the  writer,  with 

others  of  his  tribe,  was  asked  what  he 

would    take    in    payment,    which   was 

given  in  kind.     The  others  chose  cloth,  axes,  etc.      This  Indian  said  that  he  did  not   care  for 

any  of  these  things.     He  said  he  wanted  a  "  poosa."     No  one  knew  what  he  meant.     He  signed 

that  he  wished  to  go  to  the  house  and  would  show  them.      Arrived  there,  he  pointed  to  the 

cat !      "  Pussy,"   to   the   Arawak   Indian,   was   a   "  poosa,"   and  that   was   what  he  wanted   as   a 

month's  wages.      Humboldt's  Indian  had  something  better  than  a  "poosa."      It  was  a  monkey, 

as  black  as  coal,  with  a  round  head,  long  thickly  furred  tail,  and  bright  vivacious    eyes.      The- 

explorer  called  it  the  LAGOTHKIX,  which  means  Hare-skin  Monkey.     The  fur  is  not  the  least  like- 

a  hare's,  but  much  resembles  that  of  an  opossum.      The   more   suitable   name   is  the  WOOLLY 

MONKEY.      The  one   kept   at   the  Gardens   is   a  most   friendly  and  vivacious  creature,  ready   to< 

embrace,  play  and  make  friends  with  any  well-dressed  person.  It  dislikes  people  in  working- 
clothes  which  are  dirty  or 
soiled  —  a  not  uncommon 
aversion  of  clever  animals. 

In     spite     of     all     the- 
varieties   of  temperament   in 
the   monkey  tribe,    from  the- 
genial  little  Capuchins  to  the- 
morose     old     baboon,     they 
nearly  all  have  one  thing  in- 
common — that  is,  the  monkey 
brain.        The     same     curious- 
restlessness,  levity,  and  want 
of   concentration    mark  them 
all,  except  the  large  anthro-- 
poid    apes.      Some    of  these 
have    without    doubt   powers 
of    reflection   and   concentra- 
tion which  the  other  monkeys- 
do    not    possess.     But    in  all 
the  rest,  though  the  capacity 
for  understanding  exists,  the- 
wish  to  please,  as  a  dog  does, 
and  the  desire  to   remember- 


Photo  by  L.  Midland,  F.Z.S.'] 

HUMBOLDT'S  WOOLLY  MONKEY. 


[Korth  Finchley. 


This  is  the  most  popular  monkey  in  England.  He  looks  for  all  the  world  like  a  Negro,  and 
has  a  most  beautiful,  soft,  woolly  coat.  He  is  very  tame,  and  loves  nothing  better  than  being 
petted. 


Apes,    Monkeys,    and    Lemurs 


27 


and  to  retain  what  it  has  learnt,  seem  almost  entirely  wanting.  Egoism,  which  is  a  sign  of 
human  dementia,  is  a  very  leading  characteristic  of  all  monkeys.  There  is  no  doubt  that 
the  baboons  might  be  trained  to  be  useful  animals  if  they  always  served  one  master.  Le 
Vaillant  and  many  other  travellers  have  noted  this.  But  they  are  too  clever,  and  at  the 
bottom  too  ill-tempered  ever  to  be  trustworthy,  even  regarded  as  "watches,"  or  to  help  in 
minor  manual  labour.  Baboons  would  make  an  excellent  substitute  for  dogs  as  used  in 
Belgium  for  light  draught ;  but  no  one  could  ever  rely  on  their  behaving  themselves  when 
their  master's  eye  was  elsewhere. 

Taken   as   a  family,    the    monkeys   are   a   feeble   and   by    no   means    likeable    race.      They 
are  "  undeveloped  "  as  a  class,  full  of  promise,  but  with  no  performance. 


THE   LEMUES. 

THE    South    American    monkeys,    with     their 
forms     and    fur,    are    followed    by    a    beautiful 
group   of   creatures,    called   the   LEMURS,  with 
Lorises,    Maholis,  and    Pottos.     Their   resem- 
mainly  in  their  hands  and  feet.     These  are 
developed    hands,    with    proper   thumbs, 
foot  nearly  always  terminates  in  a  long, 
naturalist,  who  kept  them   as   pets 
themselves  with.     Some  of  them 
a    sensitive   disk,    full   of  extra 
"Unlike  the    lively    squirrels 
hiding-places  till  the  tropical 
when    they     seek      their 
but  by  ascending  to  the 
and  again,  at  the  first  ap- 
the   light  in   the   recesses 
The    KING-TAILED    LEMUR 
most  of  the  race  are 
the  light  seems  to 
they    turn    over 
same  inarticu- 
But    at   night 
they  fly   from 
so     that     the 
whether    they 


Photo  by  Ottomar  Anschiitz]  [Berlin. 

PIG-TAILED  MONKEY  CATCHING  A  FLY. 

Most  of  the  smaller  monkeys,  as  well  as  the  baboons,  are  fond  of  eating 
insects.     Beetles,  white  ants,  and  flies  are  eagerly  sought  and  devoured. 


~    squirrel-like 
and  interesting 
their     cousins     the 
blance   to   monkeys    is 
real   and    very   highly 
The    second   toe  on   the  hind 
sharp   claw.     "  Elia,"   the  Indian 
noticed  that  they  used  this  to  scratch 
have    the    finger-tips    expanded   into 
nerves.        Lemur     means      "ghost." 
and  monkeys,  they  do  not  leave  their 
darkness     has    fallen    on   the    forest, 
food,  not  by  descending  to  the  ground, 
upper  surface  of  the   ocean    of  trees, 
proach  of  dawn,  seek  refuge  from 
of   some  dark  and  hollow   trunk. 
is  as  lively  by  day  as  night ;  but 
entirely  creatures  of  darkness  that 
stupefy   them.      When    wakened, 
like   sleeping,  children,    with   the 
late  cries  and  deep,  uneasy  sighs, 
most    are     astonishingly     active ; 
tree  to  tree,  heard,  but  invisible ; 
natives      of     Madagascar      doubt 
are    not  true    lemures,    the    un- 
of  their  departed  dead. 


quiet      ghosts 

Though  the  lemurs  are  here  treated  apart  from  the  other  animals  of  Madagascar,  it  will 
be  obvious  that  they  are  a  curious  and  abnormal  tribe.  This  is  true  of  most  of  the  animals 
of  that  great  island,  which  has  a  fauna  differing  both  from  that  of  the  adjacent  coast  of 
Africa  and  from  that  of  India  or  Australia.  In  the  FOSSA,  a  large  representative  of  the 
Civets,  it  possesses  a  species  absolutely  unlike  any  other.  The  Aye-aye  is  also  an  abnormal 
creature.  Nor  must  it  be  forgotten  that  Madagascar  was  until  recently  the  home  of  some  of 
the  gigantic  ground-living  birds.  But,  after  all,  none  of  its  inhabitants  are  more  remarkable 
than  its  hosts  of  lemurs,  some  of  which  are  to  be  met  with  in  almost  every  coppice  in  the 
island.  There  are  also  many  extinct  kinds. 

Exquisite  fur,  soft  and  beautifully  tinted,  eyes  of  extraordinary  size  and  colour  (for  the 
pupil  shuts  up  to  a  mere  black  line  by  day,  and  the  rest  of  the  eye  shows  like  a  polished 
stone  of  rich  brown  or  yellow  or  marble-grey),  are  the  marks  of  most  of  the  lemurs. 
But  there  are  other  lemur-like  creatures,  or  "lemuroids,"  which,  though  endowed  with  the 


28 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


Photo  by  L.  Midland,  F.Z.S.] 

RING-TAILED   LEMUR. 


[North  Finchley. 


This  lemur  is  often  kept  as  a  domestic  animal,  and  allowed  to  ran  about  the 
bouse  like  a  cat. 


same  lovely  fur,  like  softest  moss,  have 
no  tails.  The  strangest  of  all  are  two 
creatures  called  the  SLENDER  LORIS  and 
the  SLOW  LORIS.  The  slender  loris,  which 
has  the  ordinary  furry  coat  of  the  lemurs, 
and  no  tail,  moves  on  the  branches 
exactly  as  does  a  chameleon.  Each  hand 
or  foot  is  slowly  raised,  brought  forward, 
and  set  down  again.  The  fingers  then  as 
slowly  close  on  the  branch  till  its  grasp 
is  secure.  It  is  like  a  slow-working 
mechanical  toy.  Probably  this  is  a  habit, 
now  instinctive,  gained  by  ages  of  cautiously 
approaching  insects.  But  the  result  is  to 
give  the  impression  that  the  creature  is 
almost  an  automaton. 

Madagascar  is  the  main  home  of  the 

lemurs    thoUffh    Some  of  the  related  animals 

are  also  found  in  Africa  and  in  the  East 
Indies.  But  the  dense  forests  of  the  great  island  are  full  of  these  curious  nocturnal  beasts,  of 
which  there  are  so  many  varieties  presenting  very  slight  differences  of  form  and  habit,  that 
naturalists  have  some  difficulty  in  giving  even  a  complete  list  of  their  species.  Add  to  this 
that  nearly  all  of  them  are  intensely  and  entirely  nocturnal,  and  the  scarcity  of  data  as  to 
their  habits  is  easily  accounted  for.  When  seen  by  us,  their  faces  all  lack  expression  —  that  is 
to  say,  the  eyes,  which  mainly  give  expression,  seem  entirely  vacant  and  meaningless.  But 
this  is  due  to  their  special  adaptation  to  seeing  in  the  dark  tropical  night.  By  day  the  pupil 
of  the  eye  almost  disappears.  If  only  we  could  also  see  in  the  dark,  the  eyes  of  the  lemur 
might  have  as  much  expression  as  those  of  a  faithful  dog.  The  change  which  night  makes 
in  their  general  demeanour  is  simply  miraculous.  By  day  many  of  them  are  like  hibernating 
animals,  almost  incapable  of  movement.  When  once  the  curtain  of  night  has  fallen,  they  are 
as  active  as  squirrels,  and  as  full  of  play  as  a  family  of  kittens.  The  KING-TAILED  LEMUR  is 
often  kept  as  a  pet,  both  in  Madagascar  and  in  the  Mauritius.  It  is  one  of  the  very 
few  which  are  diurnal  in  their  habits.  When  in  a  hurry  it  jumps  along,  standing  on  its 
hind  feet,  like  a  little  kangaroo,  but  holding  its  tail  upright 
behind  its  back.  It  will  follow  people  upstairs  in  this 
way,  jumping  from  step  to  step,  with  its  front  paws  out- 
stretched, as  if  it  were  addressing  an  audience.  The 
French  call  these  day  lemurs  MAKIS.  The  ring-tailed  lemur 
lives  largely  among  rocks  and  precipices.  Most  of  these 
creatures  live  upon  fruit,  the  shoots  and  leaves  of  trees, 
and  other  vegetable  food.  But,  like  the  squirrel,  they  have 
no  objection  to  eggs  and  nestlings,  and  also  kill  and  eat  any 
small  birds  and  insects.  Some  of  the  smaller  kinds  are 
almost  entirely  insect-feeders.  The  largest  kind  of  lemur 
belongs  to  the  group  known  as  the  INDRIS.  The  BLACK- 
AND-WHITE  INDRI  measures  about  2  feet  in  length.  It  has 
only  a  rudimentary  tail,  large  ears,  and  a  sharp-pointed 
nose.  The  amount  of  white  colouring  varies  much  in  different 
individuals.  This  variation  in  colouring  —  a  very  rare  feature 
among  wild  mammalia,  though  one  of  the  first  changes 
shown  when  animals  are  domesticated  —  is  also  found  in  the 
next  three  species,  called  SIFAKAS.  The  DIADEMED  SIFAKA, 


Photo  by  L.  Midland,  F.Z.S.,  North  Finchley. 
A  DWARF  LEMUR. 

These  tiny  animals  take  the  place  of  the 
dormouse  in  Madagascar. 


Apes,    Monkeys,    and    Lemurs 


29 


the  WOOLLY  INDRI,  and  the  BLACK  INDRI  all  belong 

to  this  group.     The  SIFAKAS,  as  some  of  these  and  the 

allied  forms  are  called,  are  venerated  by  the   Mala- 

gasys,  who  never  kill  one  intentionally.     Mr.  Foster 

observes  that  "  they  live  in  companies  of  six  or  eight, 

and  are  very  gentle  and  inoffensive  animals,  wearing 

a   very  melancholy  expression,   and  being   as  a   rule 

morose,    inactive,    and    more    silent    than    the   other 

lemurs.       They    rarely   live    long   in   captivity.      In 

their  native  state  they  are  most  alert  in  the  morning 

and  evening,  as  during   the  day  they  conceal  them- 
selves   under    the    foliage    of   trees.       When    asleep 

or    in    repose,    the    head   is   dropped    on    the   chest 

and  buried  between  the  arms,  the  tail  rolled  up  on 

itself    and    disposed   between   the    hind   legs.      The 

sifakas  live  exclusively  on  vegetable  substances,  fruits, 

leaves,   and  flowers,  their   diet   not  being   varied,    as 

in   the 

other  lemurs,  by  small  birds,  eggs,  or  insects. 
Their  life  is  almost  entirely  arboreal,  for  which 
the  muscles  of  their  hands  and  feet,  as  well  as 
the  parachute-like  folds  between  their  arms  and 
bodies,  and  their  peculiar  hooked  fingers,  are  well 
fitted.  The  young  one  is  carried  by  the  mother 
on  its  back,  its  hands  grasping  her  armpits 
tightly." 

This  is  not  the  universal  way  of  carrying  the 
young  among  lemurs.  The  CROWNED  LEMUR,  a 
beautiful  grey -and- white  species,  often  breeds  at 
the  Zoo.  The  female  carries  its  young  one 
partly  on  its  side.  The  infant  clings  tightly  with 


Photo  by  L.  Medtand,  F.Z.S.}  [North  Finchley. 

BLACK   LEMUR. 
Found  on  the  coast  of  Madagascar. 


Photo  by  L.  Medland,  F.Z.S.,  North  Finchley. 

COQUEREL'S  LEMUR. 

A  lemur  which  strongly  objects  to  being  awakened  in  the 
daytime. 


arms  and  tail  round  the  very 
slender  waist  of  the  lemur,  and 
pushes  out  its  sharp  little  face 
just  above  the  thigh  of  the 
mother.  The  WOOLLY  INDRI  has 
more  woolly  fur  than  the  others  of 
its  tribe,  a  shorter  nose,  and  a 
longer  tail. 

THE  TRUE  LEMURS 

Of  these  there  are  several 
species,  all  confined  to  Mada- 
gascar and  the  Comoro  Islands. 
One  of  the  best  known  is  the  KING- 
TAILED  LEMUR,  mentioned  above. 
It  is  called  LEMUR  CATTA,  the  Cat 
Lemur,  from  being  so  often  kept 
in  domestication.  The  WEASEL 


Photo  by  L.  Medland,  F.Z  &}  «     Finchley. 

RUFFED   LEMUR. 
Another  of  the  nocturnal  lemurs.     It  lives  mainly  on  fruit  and  insects. 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


LEMUR,  the  GREY  LEMUR,  the  MOUSE  LEMUR,  the 
GENTLE  LEMUR,  the  SPORTIVE  LEMUR,  the  CROWNED 
LEMUR,  and  COQUEREL'S  LEMUR,  all  represent 
various  small,  pretty,  and  interesting  varieties 
of  the  group.  The  BLACK-AND-WHITE  LEMUR,  one 
of  the  larger  kinds,  is  capable  of  domestication. 
A  specimen  kept  in  a  London  house,  where 
the  present  writer  saw  it,  was  always  called 
"Pussy"  by  the  children.  The  other  small 
kinds  are  very  like  squirrels,  mice,  weasels, 
and  other  creatures,  with  which  they  have  no 
connection.  It  seems  as  though  the  curiously 
limited  and  primitive  fauna  of  Madagascar  tried 
to  make  up  for  its  want  of  variety  by  mimick- 
ing the  forms  of  other  animals,  and  something 
of  the  same  kind  is  seen  in  Australia,  where  the  marsupials  take  the  place  of  all  kinds 
of  ordinary  mammals.  There  are  marsupial  rats,  marsupial  wolves,  marsupial  squirrels, 
and  even  marsupial  moles.  The  small  squirrel  and  rat-like  lemurs  are  called  CHIROGALES. 
COQUEREL'S  LEMUR  is  really  a  chirogale.  It  is  a  quaint  and  by  no  means  amiable  little 
animal,  sleeping  obstinately  all  day,  and  always  ready  to  growl  and  bite  if  disturbed.  Its 
colour  is  brownish  grey  and  cream-colour.  A  pair  of  these,  rolled  up  tightly  into  balls  in  a 
box  of  hay,  will  absolutely  refuse  to  move,  even  when  handled.  They  only  feed  by  night. 


Photo  by  L.  Medland,  F.Z.S.]  [North  Finchley. 

GARXETT'S  GALAGO. 
One  of  the  squirrel-like  lemuroids. 


THE  GALAGOS. 

An  allied  group,  confined  to  tropical  Africa,  is  that  of  the  GALAGOS.     They  are  most  beautiful 
little  creatures,  whose  nearest  relatives  are  the  Malagasy  lemurs.     Generally  speaking,  they  have 
even  more  exquisite  fur  than  the  lemurs.     It  is  almost  as  soft  as  floss  silk,  and  so  close  that  the 
hand  sinks  into  it  as  into  a  bed  of  moss.     The  colour  of  the  fur  is  rich  and  pleasing,  generally 
some  shade  of  brown.     The   head   is  small,  the  nose  pointed,  and  the    ears    thin,  hairless,    and 
capable  of  being  folded  up,   like  the  wings  of  a  beetle.      But  the  most  beautiful  feature  of  the 
galagos  is  their  eyes.      These  are  of  immense   size,  compared  with   the  head.      The  eye  is  of 
the  richest  and  most  beautiful  brown,  like  a  cairngorm  stone,  but  not  glassy  or  clear.     Though 
quite  translucent,  the  eye  is  marked  with  minute   dividing-lines,  like  the  grain  in  an  agate — a 
truly  exquisite  object.     When  handled  or  taken 
in  the  arms,  the  little  galago  clasps  the  fingers 
or  sleeve  tightly,  as  if  it  thought  it  was  holding 
a  tree,    and    shows    no    disposition  to   escape. 
A  family    of  three   or   four    young    ones,    no 
larger  than  mice,  with  their  large-eyed  mother 
attending  to  them,  forms  an  exquisitely  dainty 
little  group.     The   galagos  vary  from    the   size 
of  a  squirrel  to  that  of  a  small  cat.     The  kind 
most   often    seen   in   England   is   the    MAHOLI 
GALAGO    from    East    Africa.       Another   species 
comes  from  Senegal,    and  others   from   Calabar 
and  the  forests  of  the  Gold  Coast.    GARNETT'S 
GALAGO,     another     species,     is     shown    above. 
They   may  be   regarded   as   nocturnal   tropical 
lemuroids,  analogous  to  the  chirogales  of  Mada- 
gascar.     It    has    been    suggested,    with    great 
probability,   that    the    intensely   drowsy    sleep 


[North  Finchley. 


Photo  by  L.  Medland,  F.Z.S.] 

MAHOLI  GALAGO 

Thia  little  animal  is  a  native  of  East  Africa.    It  has  very  large  eyes, 
and  fur  as  soft  as  the  chinchilla's. 


Apes,    Monkeys,    and    Lemurs 


Plioto  by  L.  Medtand,  F.Z.S.}  [North  Finchley. 

SLENDER   LORIS. 

This  extraordinary  creature  has  the  habits  of  a  chameleon  when 
seeking  insects  for  food.     The  photograph  is  unique. 


of  many  of  the  lemuroid  animals  corresponds  to  the 
hibernation  of  many  northern  mammals.  Tropical 
animals  often  become  torpid  to  avoid  the  famine 
caused  by  the  hot  season,  just  as  creatures  in  cold 
countries  hibernate  to  avoid  the  hunger  which  would 
otherwise  come  with  winter. 

THE  SLOW  LEMURS  OR  LORISES,  AND  TARSIERS. 

Another  group  of  lemuroids  is  distinguished  from 
the  foregoing  by  having  the  second  finger  of  the 
fore  paws  either  very  short  or  rudimentary.  The 
thumb  and  great  toe  are  also  set  very  widelv 
apart  from  the  other  fingers  and  toes.  A  far 
more  striking  distinction  to  the  non-scientific  eye 
is  their  astonishingly  deliberate  and  slow  movements. 
They  have  no  tails,  enormous  eyes,  and  very  long, 
slender  legs. 

The  SLOW  LORIS  is  found  in  Eastern  India  and 
the  Malay  countries,  where  it  is  fairly  common  in 
the  forests.  The  Bengali  natives  call  it  sharmindi 
billi  ("  bashful  cat "),  from  its  slow,  solemn,  hesitating 
movements  when  in  pursuit  of  insects.  Of  a  slow 
loris  kept  by  him,  Sir  William  Jones,  in  the  "  Asiatic 
Researches,"  wrote :  "  At  all  times  he  seemed  pleased  at  being  stroked  on  the  head  and  throat, 
and  he  frequently  allowed  me  to  touch  his  extremely  sharp  teeth.  But  his  temper  was  always 
quick,  and  when  he  was  unseasonably  disturbed  he  expressed  a  little  resentment,  by  an  obscure 
murmur,  like  that  of  a  squirrel.  .  .  .  When  a  grasshopper  or  any  insect  alighted  within  his 
reach,  his  eyes,  as  he  fixed  them  on  his  prey,  glowed  with  uncommon  fire;  and  having  drawn 
himself  back  to  spring  on  his  prey  with  greater  force,  he  seized  it  with  both  his  fore  paws, 
and  held  it  till  he  had  devoured  it.  He  never  could  have  enough  grasshoppers,  and  spent 
the  whole  night  in  prowling  for  them." 

The   SLENDER   LORIS,   an   equally   curious   creature,   is  only   found   in    Southern   India  and 
Ceylon.     Its  food  consists   entirely   of  insects,   which  it   captures  by  gradual,   almost  paralysed 
approach.       It   has    been   described   as   a  "furry-coated  chameleon."      A  group  of  slow  lemurs, 
living   in    Western   Africa,    are    known    as 
POTTOS.     They  are   odd  little   quadrupeds, 
in  which  the    "forefinger"  never  grows  to 
be  more   than   a  stump.     The  tail  is   also 
either  sharp  or  rudimentary.     They  are  as 
slow  as  the  lorises  in  their  movements. 

In  the  Malay  islands  a  distant  rela- 
tive, even  more  curiously  formed,  is  found 
in  the  TARSIER.  It  has  the  huge  eyes, 
pointed  ears,  and  beautiful  fur  of  the 
galagos,  but  the  tail  is  long,  thin,  and 
tufted.  The  fingers  are  flattened  out  into 
disks,  like  a  tree-frog's.  These  creatures  hop 
from  bough  to  bough  in  a  frog-like  manner 
in  search  of  insects.  They  are  not  so  large 
as  a  good-sized  rat.  Our  photograph  does  photo  ^ L-  mdland>  F-z^ 

.  ,  .,  r       c    °  .  ,.  SLOW  LORIS. 

not   give  an   adequate   idea  ot   the  size  01  ™  ot  0_:mai«  ,,„  n«t  nhown  to 

Another  of  the  slow-moving  loris  group.     These  animals  are 
the    eyes.  the  general  public  at  the  Zoo,  but  kept  in  a  specially  warmed  room. 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


Photo  by  A.  S.  Rudland  &  Sons. 


TARSIER. 


These  little  animals  hop  about  in  the  trees  like  frogs.    They  are  nocturnal,  and  seldom 

seen. 


THE  AYE-AYE. 

Last,  and  most  remarkable 
of  all  these  weird  lemuroids,  is 
the  A  YE- AYE.  It  is  placed  in  a 
group  by  itself,  and  has  teeth  like 
those  of  the  Eodents,  a  large 
bushy  tail,  and  most  extra- 
ordinarily long,  slender  fingers, 
which  it  probably  uses  for  pick- 
ing caterpillars  and  grubs  out  of 
rotten  wood.  It  is  nearly  as  large 
as  an  Arctic  fox,  but  its  habits 
are  those  of  a  lemur.  In  Mada- 
gascar it  haunts  the  bamboo 
forests,  feeding  on  the  juice  of 
sugar-cane,  grubs,  and  insects. 
The  fingers  of  its  hands  are  of 
different  sizes  and  lengths,  though 
all  are  abnormally  long  and  slender. 
The  second  finger  seems  to  have 
"  wasted,"  but  is  said  to  be  of 
the  utmost  value  to  its  owner  in 
extracting  grubs  and  insects  from 
the  burrows  in  which  they  dwell,  or  the  crannies  in  which  they  may  have  taken  refuge.  Very 
seldom  is  this  animal  seen  alive  in  captivity.  Although  commonly  called  Aye-aye  in  this 
country,  it  is  doubtful  if  this  is  really  its  native  name.  The  aye-aye  was  long  a  puzzle  to 
naturalists,  but  is  now  classed  as  a  lemuroid. 

THE  living  races  of  animals  have  thus  far  been  reviewed  along  the  completed  list  of  the 
first  great  order — the  Primates.  Even  in  that  circumscribed  group  how  great  is  the  tendency 
to  depart  from  the  main  type,  and  how  wonderful  the  adaptation  to  meet  the  various  needs 
of  the  creatures'  environment !  The  skeletons,  the  frames  on  which 
these  various  beings  are  built  up,  remain  the  same  in  character; 
but  the  differences  of  proportion  in  the  limbs,  of  the  muscles 
with  which  they  are  equipped,  and  of  the  weight  of  the  bodies  to 
be  moved  are  astonishing.  Compare,  for  instance,  the  head  of  the 
male  Gorilla,  with  its  great  ridges  of  bone,  to  which  are  attached 
the  muscles  which  enable  it  to  devour  hard  tropical  fruits  and 
bite  off  young  saplings  and  bamboos,  with  the  rounded  and 
delicate  head  of  the  Insect-eating  Monkeys  of  South  Africa;  or 
set  side  by  side  the  hand  of  the  Chimpanzee  with  that  of  the  Aye- 
aye,  with  its  delicate,  slender  fingers,  like  those  of  a  skeleton 
hand.  What  could  be  more  diverse  than  the  movements  of  these 
creatures,  whose  structure  is  nevertheless  so  much  alike  ?  Some  of 
the  lemuroids  are  as  active  as  squirrels,  flying  lightly  from  branch 
to  branch ;  in  others,  as  the  Slow  Lorises,  the  power  of  rapid  move- 
ment has  disappeared,  and  been  replaced  by  a  creeping  gait  which 
cannot  be  accelerated.  Already,  in  a  single  order,  we  see  the  rich 
diversity  of  nature,  and  its  steady  tendency  to  make  all  existing 
things  serviceable  by  adapting  other  parts  of  creation  to  their  use 
or  enjoyment. 


Photo  by  L.  Midland,  F.Z.S.,  N.  Finchley. 
HEAD  OF  AYE-AYE. 

The  aye-aye  lives  mainly  in  the  wild, 
sugar-cane  gro%-es,  and  feeds  on  insects  and 
grubs,  as  well  as  on  the  juice  of  the  sugar- 
cane. 


Photo  by  Charles  Knight,  Aldershot. 


AFRICAN     LION     AND     LIONESS. 

These  animals  are  so  numerous  in  the  new  British  Protectorate  of  East  Africa 
that  they  are  exempted  from  protection. 


Photo  by  Fratelli  Alinari] 


[florenvt. 


AFKTCAX    LION. 
'This  lion  is  almost  in  the  attitude  of  those  sculptured  by  Sir  Edwin  Landseer  for  U.e  Xelson  Monuineut,  but  the  feet  are  turned  in,  and  not  lying  flat. 

CHAPTER    II. 

THE     CAT    TRIBE. 

THOUGH  only  one  species  is  entirely  domesticated,  and  none  of  the  Cats  have  flesh 
edible  by  man,  except  perhaps  the  puma,  no  group  of  animals  has  attracted  more  interest 
tluin  tliis.  Containing  more  than  forty  species,  ranging  in  size  from  the  ox-devouring 

tiger  or  lion  to  the  small  wild  cats,  they  are  so  alike  in 
habit  and  structure  that  no  one  could  possibly  mistake  the 
type  or  go  far  wrong  in  guessing  at  the  habits  of  any  one 
of  them.  They  are  all  flesh-eaters  and  destroyers  of  living 
animals.  All  have  rounded  heads,  and  an  extraordinary 
equipment  of  teeth  and  of  claws,  and  of  muscles  to  use  them. 
The  blow  of  the  forearm  of  a  lion  or  tiger  is  inconceivably 
powerful,  in  proportion  to  its  size.  A  stroke  from  a  tiger's 
paw  has  been  known  to  strike  off  a  native's  arm  from  the 
shoulder  and  leave  it  hanging  by  a  piece  of  skin,  and  a 
similar  blow  from  a  lion  to  crush  the  skull  of  an  ox.  The 
true  cats  are  known  by  the  power  to  draw  back,  or  "  retract," 
their  claws  into  sheaths  of  horn,  rendering  their  footsteps 
noiseless,  and  keeping  these  weapons  always  sharp.  The 
hunting-leopard  has  only  a  partial  capacity  for  doing 
this. 

The  characteristics  of  the  Cats  and  their  allies  are  too  well 
known  to  need  description.  We  will  therefore  only  mention 
the  chief  types  of  the  group,  and  proceed  to  give,  in  the  fullest 
detail  which  space  allows,  authentic  anecdotes  of  their  life 
and  habits.  The  tribe  includes  Lions,  Tigers,  Leopards. 
Pumas,  Jaguars,  a  large  number  of  so-called  Tiger-cats  (spotted 
and  striped),  Wild  Cats,  Domestic  Cats,  and  Lynxes.  The 
Hunting-leopard,  or  Cheeta,  stands  in  a  sub-group  by  itself, 
as  does  the  Fossa,  the  only  large  carnivore  of  Madagascar. 

S3  5 


By  permission  of  Herr  Carl  Hagenbtck,  Hamburg. 

AN   UNWILLING   PUPIL. 

This  is  one  of   Herr   Hagenbeck's   famous   per 

forming  tigers. 


34 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


This  closes  the  list  of  the  most  cat-like 
animals.  The  next  links  in  the  chain 
are  formed  by  the  Civets  and  Genets, 
creatures  with  more  or  less  retractile 
claws,  and  long,  bushy  tails;  the  still 
less  cat-like  Binturong,  a  creature  with 
a  prehensile  tail ;  and  the  Mongooses 
and  Ichneumons,  more  and  more  nearly 
resembling  the  weasel  tribe. 

THE    LION. 

KECENT  intrusions  for  railways, 
sport,  discovery,  and  war  into  Central 
and  East  Africa  have  opened  up  new 
lion  countries,  and  confirmed,  in  the  most 
striking  manner,  the  stories  of  the  power, 
the  prowess,  and  the  dreadful  destruc- 
tiveness  to  man  and  beast  of  this  king 
of  the  Carnivora.  At  present  it  is 
found  in  Persia,  on  the  same  rivers 
where  Nimrod  and  the  Assyrian  kings 
made  its  pursuit  their  royal  sport ;  in 
Gujerat,  where  it  is  nearly  extinct, 
though  in  General  Price's  work  on 
Indian  game  written  before  the  middle 
of  the  last  century  it  is  stated  that  a 
cavalry  officer  killed  eighty  lions  in  three 

years ;  and  in  Africa,  from  Algeria  to  the  Bechuana  country.  It  is  especially  common  in 
Somaliland,  where  the  modern  lion-hunter  mainly  seeks  his  sport.  On  the  Uganda  Eailway, 
from  Mombasa  to  Lake  Victoria,  lions  are  very  numerous  and  dangerous.  In  Khodesia  and 
the  Northern  Transvaal  they  have  killed  hunters,  railway  officials,  and  even  our  soldiers  near 
Komati  Poort.  It  has  been  found  that  whole  tracts  of  country  are  still  often  deserted  by 
their  inhabitants  from  fear  of  lions,  and  that  the  accounts  of  their  ravages  contained  in  the 
Old  Testament,  telling  how  Samaria  was  almost  deserted  a  second  time  from  this  cause, 
might  be  paralleled  to-day. 

THE  AFRICAN  LION. 

BY   F.   C.   SELOUS. 

When,  in  the  latter  half  of  the  seventeenth  century,  Europeans  first  settled  at  the  Cape 
of  Good  Hope,  the  lion's  roar  was  probably  to  be  heard  almost  nightly  on  the  slopes  of  Table 
Mountain,  since  a  quaint  entry  in  the  Diary  of  Van  Eiebeck,  the  first  Dutch  governor  of  the 
Cape,  runs  thus  :  "  This  night  the  lions  roared  as  if  they  would  take  the  fort  by  storm " — the 
said  fort  being  situated  on  the  site  of  the  city  now  known  as  Cape  Town. 

At  that  date  there  can  be  little  doubt  that,  excepting  in  the  waterless  deserts  and  the 
dense  equatorial  forests,  lions  roamed  over  the  whole  of  the  vast  continent  of  Africa  from 
Cape  Agulhas  to  the  very  shore  of  the  Mediterranean  Sea  ;  nor  was  their  range  very  seriously 
curtailed  until  the  spread  of  European  settlements  in  North  and  South  Africa,  and  the 
acquisition  of  firearms  by  the  aboriginal  inhabitants  of  many  parts  of  the  country,  during  the 
latter  half  of  the  nineteenth  century,  steadily  denuded  large  areas  of  all  wild  game. 

As  the  game  vanished,  the  lions  disappeared  too;  for  although  at  first  they  preyed  to  a 
large  extent  on  the  domestic  flocks  and  herds  which  gradually  replaced  the  wild  denizens  of 


Photo  by  York  &  Son]  [NoMng  Hill. 

LIONESS  AROUSED. 
The  pose  of  the  animal  here  shows  attention,  but  not  anger  or  fear. 


Photo  by  JV/.  Geiser] 


[Algiers. 


ALGERIAN   LIONESS. 
This  lioness,  sitting  under  an  olive-tree,  was  actually  photographed  in  the  Soudan  hy  the  intrepid  M.  Geiser. 

35 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


the  once-uninhabited  plains,  this  practice 
brought  them  into  conflict  with  the  white 
colonists  or  native  herdsmen  armed  with 
weapons  of  precision,  before  whom  they 
rapidly  succumbed. 

To-day  lions  are  still  to  be  found 
wherever  game  exists  in  any  quantity, 
and  their  numbers  will  be  in  proportion 
to  those  of  the  wild  animals  on  which 
they  prey. 

The  indefinite  increase  of  lions  must 
be  checked  by  some  unknown  law  of 


A  FOSTER-MOTHER. 

This  is  a  remarkable  photograph  of  a  setter  suckling  three  lion  cubs  which 
had  lost  their  mother.  It  is  reproduced  here  by  permission  of  the  Editor  of 
the  Irish  Field, 

nature,  otherwise  they  would  have  become  so 
numerous  in  the  sparsely  inhabited  or  altogether 
uninhabited  parts  of  Africa,  that  they  would  first 
have  exterminated  all  the  game  on  which  they 
had  been  wont  to  prey,  and  would  then  have 
had  to  starve  or  to  have  eaten  one  another. 
But  such  a  state  of  things  has  never  been 
known  to  occur;  and  whenever  Europeans  have 
entered  a  previously  unexplored  and  uninhabited 
tract  of  country  in  Africa,  and  have  found 
it  teeming  with  buffaloes,  zebras,  and  antelopes, 
they  have  always  found  lions  in  such  districts 
very  plentiful  indeed,  but  never  in  such  numbers 
as  to  seriously  diminish  the  abundance  of  the 


Photo  by  G.  W.  Wilson  A  Co.,  Ltd.]  [Aberdeen. 

LIONESS   AND  CUB. 
Lion  cubs  thrive  both  in  Dublin  and  Amsterdam,  but  not  so  well  at  the  London  Zoo. 


By  permission  of  //err  Carl  ffagenbeck]  [Hamburg. 

A   PERFORMING   LION. 

Lions,  it  would  seem,  are  capable  of  being  taught  almost  anything, 
even  tricycle-riding. 


game    upon    which   they   de- 
pended for  food. 

It  is  easy  to  understand 
that  the  increase  of  a  herd 
of  herbivorous  animals  would 
be  regulated  by  the  amount 
of  the  food-supply  available, 
as  well  as  constantly  checked 
by  the  attacks  of  the  large 
carnivora,  such  as  lions, 
leopards,  cheetas,  hyaenas,  and 
wild  dogs ;  but  I  have  never 
been  able  to  comprehend 
what  has  kept  within  bounds 
the  inordinate  increase  of 
lions  and  other  carnivorous 
animals  in  countries  where 
for  ages  past  they  have  had 
an  abundant  food-supply,  and 


The    Cat    Tribe 


37 


at  the  same  time,  having  been  almost  entirely  unmolested  by  human  beings,  have  had  no 
enemies.  Perhaps  such  a  state  of  things  does  not  exist  at  the  present  day,  but  there  are 
many  parts  of  Africa  where  such  conditions  have  existed  from  time  immemorial  up  to  within 
quite  recent  years. 

Since  lions  were  once  to  be  found  over  the  greater  portion  of  the  vast  continent  of  Africa, 
it  is  self-evident  that  these  animals  are  able  to  accommodate  themselves  to  great  variations  of 
climate  and  surroundings ;  and  I  myself  have  rnet  with  them,  close  to  the  sea,  in  the  hot  and 
sultry  coastlands  of  South-east  Africa;  on  the  high  plateau  of  Mashonaland,  where  at  an 
altitude  of  6,000  feet  above  sea-level  the  winter  nights  are  cold  and  frosty ;  amongst  the 
stony  hills  to  the  east  of  the  Victoria  Falls  of  the  Zambesi ;  and  in  the  swamps  of  the  Chobi. 
In  the  great  reed-beds  of  the  latter  river  a  certain  number  of  lions  appeared  to  live 
constantly,  preying  on  buffaloes  and  lechwe  antelopes.  I  often  heard  them  roaring  at  nights 


Photo  by  Pratelli  Alinari] 


[ftorence. 


A  YOUNG   LIONESS. 
The  sole  of  the  hind  foot  shows  the  soft  pads  on  which  the  Cats  noiselessly  approach  their  prey. 


in  these  swamps,  and  I  once  saw  two  big  male  lions  wading  slowly  across  an  open  space 
between  two  beds  of  reeds  in  water  nearly  a  foot  in  depth. 

Although  there  are  great  individual  differences  in  lions  as  regards  size,  general  colour 
of  coat,  and  more  particularly  in  the  length,  colour,  and  profuseness  of  the  mane  with 
which  the  males  are  adorned,  yet  as  these  differences  occur  in  every  part  of  Africa  where 
lions  are  met  with,  and  since  constant  varieties  with  one  fixed  type  of  mane  living  by 
themselves  and  not  interbreeding  with  other  varieties  do  not  exist  anywhere,  modern  zoologists 
are,  I  think,  now  agreed  that  there  is  only  one  species  of  lion,  since  in  any  large  series  of 
wild  lion  skins,  made  in  any  particular  district  of  Africa  or  Asia,  every  gradation  will  be  found 
between  the  finest-maned  specimens  and  those  which  are  destitute  of  any  mane  at  all.  Several 
local  race?  have,  however,  been  recently  described  by  German  writers. 

In  the  hot  and  steamy  coastlands  of  tropical  Africa  lions  usually  have  short  manes,  and 
never,  I  believe,  attain  the  long  silky  black  manes  sometimes  met  with  on  the  high  plateaux 
of  the  interior.  However,  there  is,  I  believe,  no  part  of  Africa  where  all  or  even  the  majority 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


By  permission  of  Herr  Carl  Hagenbeck] 

A   HAPPY   FAMILY. 


[Hamburg. 


Here  is  a  group  of  animals  and  their  keeper  from  Herr  Hagenbeck's  Thierpark.  The  animal  in  front 
is  a  cros3  between  a  lion  and  a  tigress  ;  he  lives  on  quite  friendly  terms  with  his  keeper,  and  also  with 
lions,  tigers,  and  leopards,  as  seen  in  the  photograph. 


of  male  lions  carry  heavy 
manes,  the  long  hair  of 
which  does  not  as  a  rule 
cover  more  than  the  neck 
and  chest,  with  a  tag  of 
varying  length  and  thick- 
ness extending  from  the 
back  of  the  neck  to 
between  the  shoulder- 
blades.  Lions  with  very 
full  black  manes,  covering 
the  whole  shoulders,  are 
rare  anywhere,  but  more 
likely  to  be  encountered 
on  the  high  plateaux, 
where  the  winter  nights 
are  extremely  cold,  than 
anywhere  else.  In  such 
cases,  in  addition  to  the 
tufts  of  hair  always  found 


on  the  elbows  and  in  the 
armpits  of  lions  with 
fair-sized  manes,  there 
will  probably  be  large 
tufts  of  hair  in  each 

flank   just  where   the   thighs  join   the   belly ;    but  I    have  never   yet    seen  the  skin  of  a    lion 

shot    within  the    last    thirty  years  with  the  whole   belly  covered  with  long,  thick  hair,  as  may 

constantly  be   observed   in  lions    kept   in    captivity  in   the    menageries   of    Europe.      There   is, 

however,    some    evidence   to   show   that,    when    lions    existed   on    the   high   plains   of  the    Cape 

Colony  and  the  Orange  River  Colony,  where  the  winter    nights    are    much   colder   than   in   the 

countries  farther  north  where  lions  may  still  be  encountered,  certain  individuals  of  the  species 

developed  a  growth  of  long   hair  all   over   the  belly,  as  well  as  an   extraordinary  luxuriance  of 

mane  on  the  neck  and  shoulders. 

From   the    foregoing    remarks    it    will 

be  seen   that  wild   lions,  having  as   a   rule 

much    less    luxuriant    manes    than     many 

examples    of    their    kind    to    be    seen    in 

European  menageries,  are  ordinarily  not  so 

majestic    and    dignified    in    appearance    as 

many    of  their    caged     relatives.      On    the 

other  hand,    the   wild  lion  is  a  much  more 

alert   and   active   animal  than  a  menagerie 

specimen,  and    when    in   good   condition    is 

far  better  built  and  more  powerful-looking, 

being  free  from  all  appearance  of  lankiness 

and  weakness  in  the  legs,  and  having  strong, 

well-formed  hindquarters.     The  eyes  of  the 

menagerie    lion,    too,  look    brOWn    and  USUally  By  permission  of  Herr  Carl  Hagtnbeck]  [Hamburg. 

sleepy,  whilst  those  of  the  wild  animal  are  A  CROSS  BETWEEN  LION  AND  TIGRESS. 

yellow,     and     extraordinarily    luminOUS     even  This  unique  photograph  shows  a  remarkable  hybrid  and  its  proud  parents. 

after    death.       When     WOUnded    and    Standing         ™e  father  (on  the  right)  is  a  lion,  and  the  mother  (on  the  left)  a  tigres^ 

The  offspring  (in  the  centre)  is  a  fine,  large  male,  now  four  years  old  ;  it  u 
at      bay,      With      head     held     low     between      his          bipger  than  an  average-sized  lion  or  tiger. 


Photo  by  Ottomar  Anscliiitz] 


{Berlin. 


A  HUNGRY  LION. 

Notice  that  the  mane,  as  in  most  wild  lions,  is  \eryscanty. 
39 


40 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


By  permission  of  Herr  Carl  Hagenbeck] 

LIONESS  AND   TIGER. 


[Hamburg. 


The  straightness  of  the  lioness's  tail   is  here  shown.      It  is  not  in   the  least   like   that  of  the  tiger 

or  of  the  cat. 


shoulders,  growling 
hoarsely,  and  with 
twitching  tail,  even  if  he 
is  not  near  enough  to  be 
observed  very  closely,  a 
lion  looks  a  very  savage 
and  dangerous  animal ; 
but  should  he  be  wounded 
in  such  a  way  as  to  admit 
of  a  near  approach — 
perhaps  by  a  shot  that 
has  paralysed  his  hind- 
quarters —  his  flaming 
eyes  will  seem  to  throw 
out  sparks  of  living  fire. 
Speaking  generally, 
there  is  little  or  no 
danger  in  meeting  a 
lion  or  lions  in  the  day- 
time. Even  in  parts  of 
the  country  where  fire- 
arms are  unknown,  and 
where  the  natives  seldom 
or  never  interfere  with 
them,  these  animals  seem 
to  have  an  instinctive 

fear  of  man,  and  even  when  encountered  at  the  carcase  of  an  animal  freshly  killed,  and  at  a 
time  when  they  may  be  supposed  to  be  hungry,  they  will  almost  invariably  retreat  before 
the  unwelcome  presence,  sometimes  slowly  and  sulkily,  but  in  districts  where  much  hunting 
with  firearms  has  been  going  on  at  a  very  rapid  pace.  However,  I  have  known  of  two  cases 
of  Europeans  mounted  on  horseback  having  been  attacked  by  lions  in  broad  daylight,  and 
Dr.  Livingstone  mentions  a  third.  In  one  of  the  instances  which  came  within  my  own  knowledge, 
a  lion  sprang  at  a  Boer  hunter  as  he  was  riding  slowly  along,  carrying  an  elephant-gun  in  his 
right  hand  and  followed  by  a  string  of  natives  on  foot.  The  lion  attacked  from  the  left  side, 
and  with  its  right  paw  seized  my  friend  from  behind  by  the  right  side  of  his  face  and  neck, 
inflicting  deep  gashes  with  its  sharp  claws,  one  of  which  cut  right  through  his  cheek  and 
tore  out  one  of  his  teeth.  My  friend  was  pulled  from  his  horse,  but,  clutching  the  loosely 
girthed  saddle  tightly  with  his  knees,  it  twisted  round  under  the  horse's  belly  before  he  fell 
to  the  ground.  Instead  of  following  up  its  success,  the  lion,  probably  scared  by  the  shouting 
of  the  Kaffirs,  trotted  away  for  a  short  distance,  and  then  turned  and  stood  looking  at  the 
dismounted  hunter,  who,  never  having  lost  his  presence  of  mind,  immediately  shot  it  dead 
with  his  heavy  old  muzzle-loading  elephant-gun.  Besides  these  three  instances  of  Europeans 
having  been  attacked  in  the  daytime  by  lions,  I  have  known  of  a  certain  number  of  natives 
having  been  killed  in  broad  daylight.  Such  incidents  are,  however,  by  no  means  every-day 
occurrences,  and,  speaking  generally,  it  may  be  said  that  the  risk  of  molestation  by  lions  in 
Africa  during  daylight  is  very  small.  It  is  by  night  that  lions  roam  abroad  with  stealthy 
step  in  search  of  prey;  and  at  such  times  they  are  often,  when  hungry,  incredibly  bold  and 
daring.  I  have  known  them  upon  several  occasions  to  enter  a  hunter's  camp,  and,  regardless 
of  fires,  to  seize  oxen  and  horses  and  human  beings. 

During  the  year  following  the  first  occupation  of  Mashonaland  in  1890,  a  great  deal  of 
damage  was  done  by  lions,  which  could  not  resist  the  attractions  of  the  settlers'  live  stock. 
For  the  first  few  months  I  kept  as  accurate  an  account  as  I  could  of  the  number  of  horses, 


The    Cat    Tribe 


donkeys,  oxen,  sheep,  goats,  and  pigs  which  were  killed  by  lions,  and  it  soon  mounted  up  to 
over  200  head.  During  the  same  time  several  white  men  were  also  mauled  by  lions,  and  one 
unfortunate  man  named  Teale  was  dragged  from  beneath  the  cart,  where  he  was  sleeping  by 
the  side  of  a  native  driver,  and  at  once  killed  and  eaten.  Several  of  the  horses  were  killed 
inside  rough  shelters  serving  as  stables.  In  the  following  year  (1891)  over  100  pigs  were 
killed  in  one  night  by  a  single  lioness.  These  pigs  were  in  a  series  of  pens,  separated  one 
from  another,  but  all  under  one  low  thatched  roof.  The  lioness  forced  her  way  in  between  two 
poles,  and  apparently  was  unable,  after  having  satisfied  her  hunger,  to  find  her  way  out  again, 
and,  becoming  angry  and  frightened,  wandered  backwards  and  forwards  through  the  pens, 
killing  almost  all  the  pigs,  each  one  with  a  bite  at  the  back  of  the  head  or  neck.  This 
lioness,  which  had  only  eaten  portions  of  two  young  pigs,  made  her  escape  before  daylight,  but 
was  killed  with  a  set  gun  the  next  night  by  the  owner  of  the  pigs. 

When  lions  grow  old,  they  are  always  liable  to  become  man-eaters.  Finding  their  strength 
failing  them,  and  being  no  longer  able  to  hunt  and  pull  down  large  antelopes  or  zebras,  they 
are  driven  by  hunger  to  killing  small  animals,  such  as  porcupines,  and  even  tortoises,  or  they 
may  visit  a  native  village  and  catch  a  goat,  or  kill  a  child  or  woman  going  for  water ;  and 
finding  a  human  being  a  very  easy  animal  to  catch  and  kill,  an  old  lion  which  has  once  tasted 
human  flesh  will  in  all  probability  continue  to  be  a  man-eater  until  he  is  killed.  On  this 
subject,  in  his  "Missionary  Travels,"  Dr.  Livingstone  says:  "A  man-eater  is  invariably  an  old 
lion ;  and  when  he  overcomes  his  fear  of  man  so  far  as  to  come  to  villages  for  goats,  the 
people  remark,  '  His  teeth  are  worn  ;  he  will  soon  kill  men/  They  at  once  acknowledge  the 
necessity  of  instant  action,  and  turn  out  to  kill  him."  It  is  the  promptness  with  which 
measures  are  taken  by  the  greater  part  of  the  natives  of  Southern  Africa  to  put  an  end  to 


Photo  ly  Ottomar  Anschiit:] 

TIGRESS. 

Were  the  grass  seen  here  the  normal  height  of  that  in  the  Indian  jungles,  the  upright  lines  ™uld  harmonise  with  the  stripes,  and  r, 

tiger  almost  invisible. 

O 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


Photo  by  L.  Midland,  F.Z  S.,  North  Finchley. 
TIGEB  CUB. 


any  lion  which  may  take  to  eating  men  that  prevents 
these  animals  as  a  rule  from  becoming  the  formidable  pests 
which  man-eating  tigers  appear  to  be  in  parts  of  India.  But 
man-eating  lions  in  Africa  are  not  invariably  old  animals. 
One  which  killed  thirty-seven  human  beings  in  1887,  on  the 
Majili  River,  to  the  north-west  of  the  Victoria  Falls  of  the 
Zambesi,  was,  when  at  last  he  was  killed,  found  to  be  an 
animal  in  the  prime  of  life ;  whilst  the  celebrated  man- 
eaters  of  the  Tsavo  River,  in  East  Africa,  were  also  apparently 
strong,  healthy  animals.  These  two  man-eating  lions  caused 
such  consternation  amongst  the  Indian  workmen  on  the 
Uganda  Railway  that  the  work  of  construction  was  con- 
siderably retarded,  the  helpless  coolies  refusing  to  remain 
any  longer  in  a  country  where  they  were  liable  to  be 
eaten  on  any  night  by  a  man-eating  lion.  Both  these  lions 
were  at  last  shot  by  one  of  the  engineers  on  the  railway 
(Mr.  J.  H.  Patterson),  but  not  before  they  had  killed  and 
devoured  twenty-eight  Indian  coolies  and  an  unknown 
number  of  native  Africans. 

Note  the  great  development  of  the  legs  THE     TIGER. 

and  paws. 

TIGERS    are    the    "  type    animal "    of    Asia.       They   are 

found  nowhere  else.  Lions  were  inhabitants,  even  in  historic  times,  of  Europe,  and  are 
still  common  on  the  Euphrates  and  in  parts  of  Persia,  just  as  they  were  when  the  Assyrian 
kings  shot  them  with  arrows  from  their  hunting-chariots.  They  survived  in  Greece  far  later 
than  the  days  when  story  says  that  Hercules  slew  the  Nemean  lion  in  the  Peloponnesus,  for  the 
baggage-animals  of  Xerxes' 
army  of  invasion  were  attacked 
by  lions  near  Mount  Athos. 
But  the  tiger  never  comes, 
and  never  did  come  in  historic 
times,  nearer  to  Europe  than 
the  Caucasian  side  of  the 
Caspian  Sea.  On  the  other 
hand,  they  range  very  far 
north.  All  our  tiger-lore  is 
Indian.  There  is  scarcely 
a  story  of  tigers  to  be  found 
in  English  books  of  sport 
which  deals  with  the  animal 
north  of  the  line  of  the 
Himalaya.  These  Chinese 
northern  tigers  and  the 
Siberian  tigers  are  far  larger 
than  those  of  India.  They 
have  long  woolly  coats,  in 
order  to  resist  the  cold. 
Their  skins  are  brought  to 
London  in  hundreds  every 

year   to   the    great   fur-sales.  *•  BOYAL  TIGER. 

But      the      animals      them- 


Photo  by  Valentine  &  Sons,  Ltd.] 


[Dundee. 


This  is  an  old  Bengal  Tiger,  with  the  smooth,  short  coat  grown  in  that  hot  climate. 


The    Cat    Tribe 


43 


Photo  by  Fratelli  Alinart^ 

A   TIGER   BEFOBE   SLEEPING. 
Tigers,  when  about  to  sloep,  sit  in  this  position  ;  whan  more  drowsy,  they  lie  down  or  roll  oyeron  their  backs. 


(Florence. 


selves  we  never  see.  The  present  writer  was  informed  by  a  friend  that  in  the  Amur 
Valley  he  shot  three  of  these  tigers  in  a  day,  putting  them  up  in  thick  bush- scrub  by  the 
aid  of  dogs. 

The  EOYAL  BENGAL  TIGER,  so  called,  and  very  properly  called  in  the  old.  books  of  natural 
history,  is  a  different  and  far  more  savage  beast.  It  is  almost  invariably  a  ferocious 
savage,  fierce  by  nature,  never  wishing  to  be  otherwise  than  a  destroyer — of  beasts  mainly, 
but  often  of  men.  Compared  with  the  lion,  it  is  far  longer,  but  rather  Lighter,  for  the 
lion  is  more  massive  and  compact.  "  A  well-grown  tigress,"  says  Sir  Samuel  Baker,  "  may 
weigh  on  an  average  240  Ibs.  live  weight.  A  very  fine  tiger  may  weigh  440  Ibs.,  but  if 
fat  the  same  tiger  would  weigh  500  Ibs.  There  may  be  tigers  which  weigh  50  Ibs.  more 
than  this;  but  I  speak  according  to  my  experience.  I  have  found  that  a  tiger  of 
9  feet  8  inches  is  about  2  inches  above  the  average.  The  same  skin  may  be  stretched 
to  measure  10  feet.  A  tiger  in  the  Zoological  Gardens  is  a  long,  lithe  creature  with  little 
flesh.  Such  a  specimen  affords  a  poor  example  of  this  grand  animal  in  its  native  jungle's, 
with  muscles  in  their  full,  ponderous  development  from  continual  exertion  in  nightly 
travels  over  long  distances,  and  in  mortal  struggles  when  wrestling  with  its  prey.  A  well-fed 
tiger  is  by  no  means  a  slim  figure.  On  the  contrary,  it  is  exceedingly  bulky,  broad  in 
the  shoulders,  back,  and  loins,  and  with  an  extraordinary  girth  of  limb^,  especially  in  the 
forearms  and  wrists." 

This  ponderous,  active,  and  formidably  armed  creature  is,  as  might  be  expected,  able  to  hold 
its  own  wherever  Europeans  do  not  form  part  of  the  regular  population.  In  India  the  peasants 
are  quite  helpless  even  against  a  cattle-killing  tiger  in  a  populous  part  of  the  country.  In 
the  large  jungles,  and  on  the  islands  at  the  mouths  of  the  great  rivers,  the  tigers  have  things 


44 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


all  their  own  way.  Things  are  no  better  in  the  Far  East.  A  large  peninsula  near  Singapore 
is  said  to  have  been  almost  abandoned  by  its  cultivators  lately,  owing  to  the  loss  of  life  caused 
by  the  tigers.  In  the  populous  parts  of  India  the  tiger  is  far  more  stealthy  than  in  the 
out-of-the-way  districts.  It  only  hunts  by  night ;  and  after  eating  a  part  of  the  animal  killed, 
moves  off  to  a  distance,  and  does  not  return.  Otherwise  the  regular  habit  is  to  return  to  the 
kill  just  at  or  after  dusk,  and  finish  the  remainder.  Its  suspicions  seem  quite  lulled  to  sleep 
after  dark.  Quite  recently  a  sportsman  sat  up  to  watch  for  a  tiger  at  a  water-hole.  It  was 
in  the  height  of  the  Indian  hot  season,  when  very  little  water  was  left.  All  the  creatures 
of  that  particular  neighbourhood  were  in  the  habit  of  coming  to  drink  at  one  good  pool  still 
left  in  the  rocky  bed  of  the  river.  There  the  tigers  came  too.  The  first  night  they  did  not 
come  until  all  the  other  creatures — hog,  deer,  peacocks,  and  monkeys — had  been  down  to  drink. 
They  then  came  so  softly  over  the  sand  that  the  gunner  in  waiting  did  not  hear  them  pass. 
His  first  knowledge  that  they  were  there  was  due  to  the  splashing  they  made  as  they  entered 
the  water.  It  was  quite  dark,  and  he  felt  not  a  little  nervous,  for  the  bush  on  which  he  was 

seated  on  a  small  platform 
was  only  some  10  feet  high. 
He  heard  the  two  tigers  pass 
him,  not  by  their  footsteps, 
but  by  the  dripping  of  the 
water  as  it  ran  off  their 
bodies  on  to  the  sand.  Next 
night  they  came  again.  This 
time,  though  it  was  dark, 
he  shot  one  in  a  very  in- 
genious manner.  The  two 
tigers  walked  into  the  water, 
and  apparently  lay  down  or 
sat  down  in  it,  with  their 
heads  out.  They  only  moved 
occasionally,  lapping  the  water, 
but  did  not  greatly  disturb 
the  surface.  On  this  was 
reflected  a  bright  star  from 
the  sky  above.  The  sports- 
man put  the  sight  of  the  rifle 
on  the  star,  and  kept  it  up 
to  his  shoulder.  Something 

obliterated  the  star,  and  he  instantly  fired.  The  "something"  was  the  tiger's  head,  which  the 
bullet  duly  hit. 

The  hill-tigers  of  India  are,  or  were,  much  more  given  to  hunting  by  day  than  the  jungle- 
tigers.  In  the  Nilgiri  Hills  of  Southern  India  the  late  General  Douglas  Hamilton  said  that 
before  night  the  tigers  were  already  about  hunting,  and  that  in  the  shade  of  evening  it  was 
dangerous  to  ride  on  a  pony — not  because  the  tigers  wished  to  kill  the  rider,  but  because  they 
might  mistake  the  pony  and  its  rider  for  a  sambar  deer.  He  was  stalked  like  this  more  than 
once.  Often,  when  stalking  sambar  deer  and  ibex  by  day,  he  saw  the  tigers  doing  the  same, 
or  after  other  prey.  "My  brother  Kichard,"  he  writes,  "was  out  after  a  tiger  which  the 
hillmen  reported  had  killed  a  buffalo  about  an  hour  before.  He  saw  the  tiger  on  first  getting 
to  the  ground,  and  the  tiger  had  seen  him.  It  was  lying  out  in  the  open  watching  the  buffalo, 
and  shuffled  into  the  wood,  and  would  not  come  out  again.  Next  morning,  when  we  got  to 
the  ground,  the  tiger  was  moving  from  rock  to  rock,  and  had  dragged  the  body  into  a  nullah. 
.  .  .  We  were  upon  the  point  of  starting  home  when  we  observed  a  number  of  vultures  coming 
down  to  the  carcase.  The  vultures  began  to  collect  in  large  numbers  on  the  opposite  hill.  I 


[Panon't  Green. 


flioto  by  Scholastic  Pkoto.  Co.] 

A   HALF-GROWN   TIGER  CUB. 

Tigerg  "  grow  to  their  head,"  like  children.     The  head  of  a  half -grown  cub  is  as  long,  though  not 
so  broad,  as  that  of  tbe  adult. 


Photo  by  Fratelli  Alinari] 
These  tigers  were 


[Florence. 

TIGERS   IX   ITALY. 

photographed  in  Turin.     Italy  was  the  first  European  country  to  which  these  animals  were  brought  from  the  East. 

43 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


[Hamburg. 


soon    counted    fifty ;    but    they  would    not  go 

near   the    buffalo.      Then  some    crows,    bolder 

than  the  rest,  flew   down,  and    made   a   great 

row  over  their   meal.     All  of  a    sudden    they 

all  flew  up,  and   I    made   certain    it   was   the 

tiger.        Then    my    brother    fired,    and    there 

he  was,  shot   right   through   the   brain,  lying 

just  above  the  buffalo.     He  had  been  brought 

down   by   the  noise    the   crows  were   making. 

Upon    driving    the    skolas    (small    woods    on 

these  hills),  tigers  were  often  put  out.     Some- 
times  they    availed   themselves    of  the   drive 

to    secure  food  for   themselves.      A  wood  was 

being    driven,    when    a    tremendous    grunting 

was  heard,  and  out  rushed  an  old  boar,  bristling 

and  savage.      B was    about  to   raise   his 

rifle,     when    a    growl     like    thunder    stopped 

him,    and    a    great    tiger    with    one     spring 

cleared  the  nullah,  and   alighted  on  the  back 

of  the   old    boar.      Such  a    battle   then   took 

place  that,  what  with  the  growls  of  the  tiger 

and  the  squeals  of  the  boar,  one  might  believe 

oneself  in  another  world.     I  thought  of  nothing 

but  of  how  to  kill  one  or  the  other,  or  both  ; 

so,  as  they  were   rolling  down  over  and  over, 

about  fifty  yards  from  me  on    the   open  hill- 
side, I  let  fly  both  barrels.     For  a  second  or 

two  the  noise  went  on  ;  then  the  tiger  jumped 

off,  and    the   boar   struggled   into   the  nullah 

close   by.      The   tiger   pulled   up,   and   coolly 

stared   at   us   without   moving ;    but   his   courage   seemed    to   fail    him,  and    he  sprang  into  the 

nullah  and  disappeared." 

In  most  parts  of  India   tigers   are   now   scarce    and    shy,  except    in    the   preserves   of  the 

great   rajas,    and    the    dominions   of    some   mighty  and    pious   Hindu   potentates,    such    as    the 

Maharaja   of  Jeypur,  who,  being   supposed   to  be  descended  from  a  Hindu  god,  allows  no  wild 

animals  to  be  killed.  There  the  deer  and 
pig  are  so  numerous  that  tigers  are  welcome 
to  keep  them  down.  But  the  Sunderbunds, 
unwholesome  islands  at  the  Ganges  mouth, 
still  swarm  with  them.  So  does  the  Malay 
Peninsula. 

Mr.  J.  D.  Cobbold  shot  a  tiger  in 
Central  Asia  in  a  swamp  so  deep  in  snow 
and  so  deadly  cold  that  he  dared  not  stay 
for  fear  of  being  frozen  to  death.  Tigers 
sometimes  wander  as  far  west  as  the 
Caucasus  near  the  Caspian.  The  farther 
north,  the  larger  your  tiger,  is  the  rule. 
The  biggest  ever  seen  in  Europe  was 
a  Siberian  tiger  owned  by  Herr  Carl 


BJI  permission  of  Herr  Carl  Hagtnbtck] 


A    LEOPARD-PUMA   HYBRID. 


This  is  a  photograph  from  life  of  a  very  rare  hybrid.  The  animals' 
father  was  a  puma,  its  mother  a  leopard.  It  is  now  dead,  and  may  bt 
seen  stuffed  in  Mr.  Rothschild's  Museum  at  Tring. 


Photo  by  L.  Mcdland,  F.Z.S.] 

LEOPARDS. 


(North  Finchley. 


A  pair  of  leopards,  one  spotted,  the  other  black.     Black  leopards  may  be  the 
offspring  of  the  ordinary  spotted  form  :  they  are  generally  much  more  savage 


Hagenbeck,   of  Hamburg,  and  the  largest 
known    skin    and   skull    is    from    the    Far 


The    Cat    Tribe 


47 


North.     The    skin    is    13    feet    6    inches    from   the   nose  to    the   end  of  the   tail.     The  largest 
Indian  tiger-skin,  from  one  killed  by  the  Maharaja  of  Cuch  Eehar,  measures  11  feet  7  inches. 

LEOPARDS. 

LESS  in  size,  but  even  more  ferocious,  the  LEOPARD  has  a  worse  character  than   the  tiger.' 
Living   mainly    in    trees,    and    very    nocturnal,    this   fierce   and    dangerous   beast    is    less    often 
seen    than    far    rarer    animals.      It    is   widely  spread   over   the    world,  from   the    Cape   of   Good 
Hope   to   the    Atlas    Mountains,    and    from    Southern    China    to    the    Black    Sea,   where   it    is 
sometimes   met   with    in    the    Caucasus.      There    seems   to   be   no   legend    of    its   presence   in ' 
Greece,  Italy,  or  Spain;    but  it  was  quite  common  in  Asia  Minor;   and  Cicero,  when    governor 
of   Cilicia,    was   plagued   by   an    aristocratic   young   friend    in    Koine   to    send   him   leopards   to 
exhibit  in  a  fete  he  was  giving. 

Any  one  who  has  frequented  the  Zoo  for  any  time  must  have  noticed  the  difference  in 
size  and  colour  between  leopards  from  different  parts  of  the  world.  On  some  the  ground- 
colour is  almost  white,  in  others  a  clear  nut-brown.  Others  are  jet-black.  Wherever  they 
live,  they  are  cattle  thieves,  sheep  thieves,  and  dog  thieves.  Though  not  formidable  in 
appearance,  they  are  immensely  strong.  Sometimes  one  will  turn  man-eater.  Both  in  India 
and  lately  in  Africa  cases  have  been  known  where  they  have  "  set  up "  in  this  line  as 
deliberately  as  any  tiger.  They  have  four  or  five  young  at  a  birth,  which  may  often  be  kept 
tame  for  some  time  and  are  amusing  pets.  But  the  following  plain  story  shows  the  danger 
of  such  experiments.  At  Hong-kong  an  English  merchant  had  a  tame  leopard,  which  was 
brought  into  the  room  by  a  coolie  for  the  guests  to  see  at  a  dinner  party.  Excited  by  the 
smell  of  food,  it  refused  to  go  out  when  one  of  the  ladies,  who  did  not  like  its  looks,  wished 
for  it  to  be  removed.  The  man  took  hold  of  its  collar  and  began  to  haul  it  out.  It  seized 
him  by  the  neck,  bit  it  through,  and  in  a  minute  the  coolie  was  dying,  covered  with  blood, 
on  the  dining-room  floor ! 


Photo  by  C,  Reid] 


[Wiiliav:,  N.B. 


A  YOUNG  LEOPARD 

opard  oib  is  far  more  cat-like  in  appearance  than  the  young  tiger  or  lion. 


48 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


The  Chinese  leopard  ranges  as  fur  north  as  the  Siberian  tiger,  and,  like  the  latter,  seems 
to  grow  larger  the  farther  north  it  is  found.  The  colour  of  these  northern  leopards  is  very 
pale,  the  spots  large,  and  the  fur  very  long.  At  the  March  fur-sales  of  the  present  year, 
held  at  the  stores  of  Sir  Charles  Lampson,  there  were  Siberian  leopard-skins  as  large  as  those 
of  a  small  tiger. 

Leopards  are  essentially  tree-living  and  nocturnal  animals.  Sleeping  in  trees  or  caves  by 
day,  they  are  seldom  disturbed.  They  do  an  incredible  amount  of  mischief  among  cattle, 
calves,  sheep,  and  dogs,  being  especially  fond  of  killing  and  eating  the  latter.  They  seize 
their  prey  by  the  throat,  and  cling  with  their  claws  until  they  succeed  in  breaking  the  spine 
or  in  strangling  the  victim.  The  largest  leopards  are  popularly  called  PANTHERS.  In  India  they 
sometimes  become  man-eaters,  and  are  always  very  dangerous.  They  have  a  habit  of  feeding 
on  putrid  flesh ;  this  makes  wounds  inflicted  by  their  teeth  or  claws  liable  to  blood-poisoning. 
Nothing  in  the  way  of  prey  comes  amiss  to  them,  from  a  cow  in  the  pasture  to  a  fowl  up  at 
roost.  "  In  every  country,"  says  Sir 
Samuel  Baker,  "  the  natives  are  unani- 
mous in  saying  that  the  leopard  is  more 
dangerous  than  the  lion  or  tiger. 
Wherever  I  have  been  in  Africa,  the 
natives  have  declared  that  they  had  no 
fear  of  a  lion,  provided  they  were  not 
hunting,  for  it  would  not  attack  unpro- 
voked, but  that  a  leopard  was  never  to 
be  trusted.  I  remember  when  a  native 


boy,  accompanied  by  his  grown-up  brother, 


Photo  by  J.  W.  McLellan]  [Highbury. 

SNOW-LEOPARD,   OR  OUNCE. 
This  is  a  striking  portrait  of  a  very  beautiful  animal.     Note  the  long  bushy  tail,  thick  coat,  and  large  eyes. 

was  busily  employed  with  others  in  firing  the  reeds  on  the  .opposite  bank  of  a  small  stream. 
Being  thirsty  and  hot,  the  boy  stooped  down  to  drink,  when  he  was  immediately  seized  by 
a  leopard.  His  brother,  with  admirable  aim,  hurled  his  spear  at  the  leopard  while  the  boy 
was  in  his  jaws.  The  point  separated  the  vertebrae  of  the  neck,  and  the  leopard  fell  stone- 
dead.  The  boy  was  carried  to  my  hut,  but  there  was  no  chance  of  recovery.  The  fangs  had 
torn  open  the  chest  and  injured  the  lungs.  These  were  exposed  to  view  through  the  cavity 
of  the  ribs.  He  died  the  same  night." 

In  the  great  mountain-ranges  of  Central  Asia  the  beautiful  SNOW-LEOPARD  is  found.  It 
is  a  large  creature,  with  thick,  woolly  coat,  and  a  long  tail  like  a  fur  boa.  The  colour  is 
white,  clouded  with  beautiful  grey,  like  that  of  an  Angora  cat.  The  edges  of  the  cloundings 
and  spots  are  marked  with  black  or  darker  grey.  The  eyes  are  very  large,  bluish  grey  or 
smoke-coloured.  It  lives  on  the  wild  sheep,  ibex,  and  other  mountain  animals.  In  captivity  it 
is  far  the  tamest  and  gentlest  of  the  large  carnivora,  not  excepting  the  puma.  Unlike  the 
latter,  it  is  a  sleepy,  quiet  animal,  like  a  domestic  cat.  The  specimen  shown  here  belonged  to 
a  lady  in  India,  who  kept  it  for  some  time  as  a  pet.  It  was  then  brought  to  the  Zoological 
Gardens,  where  it  was  more  amiable  and  friendly  than  most  cats.  The  writer  has  entered  its 
cage  with  the  keeper,  stroked  it,  and  patted  its  head,  without  in  the  least  ruffling  its  good- 
temper.  The  heat  of  the  lion-house  did  not  suit  it,  and  it  died  of  consumption. 


Photo  ly  OUomar  Angchiltz} 


[Berlin. 


CHEETA. 

A  cheeta  is  a  hunting-leopard  ;  this  one  is  a  particularly  large  specimen.     The  cheetas  are  dealt  with  later  on  in  this  chapter. 

49  7 


50 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


Pltoto  by  U.  W.  Wtison  On  C'o.,  Ltd.\ 

JAGUAB. 
The  largest  and  strongest  of  the  Cats  of  the  Kew  World.     A  South  American  species. 


THE   NEW   WORLD   CATS. 

THE  cats,  great  and  small,  of  the  New  World  resemble  those  of  the  Old,  though  not  quite 
so  closely  as  the  caribou,  wapiti  deer,  and  moose  of  the  northern  forests  resemble  the  reindeer. 
red  deer,  and  elk  of  Europe.  They  are  like,  but  with  a  difference.  The  Jaguar  and  the 
Ocelot  are  respectively  larger  and  far  more  beautiful  than  their  counterparts,  the  leopard  and 
serval  cats.  Bat  the  Puma,  the  one  medium-sized  feline  animal  which  is  unspotted,  is 
something  unique.  The  jaguar  and  puma  are  found  very  far  south  in  South  America;  and 
though  the  jaguar  is  really  a  forest  animal,  it  seems  to  have  wandered  out  on  to  the  Pampas 
of  Argentina,  perhaps  attracted  by  the  immense  numbers  of  cattle,  sheep,  and  horses  on  these 

plains. 

THE  JAGUAR. 

The  JAGUAR  is  as  savage  as  it  is  formidable, 
but  does  not  often  attack  men.  Its  headquarters 
are  the  immense  forests  running  from  Central 
America  to  Southern  Brazil ;  and  as  all  great  forests 
are  little  inhabited,  the  jaguar  is  seldom  encoun- 
tered by  white  rnen.  By  the  banks  of  the  great 
rivers  it  is  semi-aquatic;  it  swims  and  climbs  with 
equal  ease,  and  will  attack  animals  on  board  boats 
anchored  in  the  rivers.  As  there  are  few  animal* 
of  great  size  in  these  forests,  its  great  strength  is 
not  often  seen  exercised,  as  is  that  of  the  lion  ;  but 
it  is  the  personification  of  concentrated  force,  and 
its  appearance  is  well  worth  studying  from  that 
point  of  view.  The  spots  are  larger  and  squarer  than 
in  the  leopard,  the  head  ponderous,  the  forearms 
and  feet  one  mass  of  muscle,  knotted  under  the 
velvet  skin.  On  the  Amazons  it  draws  its  food 
alike  from  the  highest  tree-tops  and  the  river-bed  ; 
in  the  former  it  catches  monkeys  in  the  branches, 
fish  in  the  shallows  of  the  rivers,  and  scoops  out 
turtles'  eggs  from  the  sandbanks.  Humboldt,  who 
visited  these  regions  when  the  white  population 


Photo  Uy  Scholastic  Photo.  Co.,  Parson's  Green. 

PUJJA. 
A  puma  in  the  act  of  lying  down,  like  a  domestic  cat. 


The    Cat    Tribe  51 

was  scarce,  declared  that  4,000  jaguars  were  killed  annually,  and  2,000  skins  exported  from 
Ihienos  Ayres  alone.  It  was  clearly  common  on  the  Pampas  in  his  day,  and  made  as  great 
havoc  among  the  cattle  and  horses  as  it  does  to-day. 

THE  PUMA. 

The  PUMA  is  a  far  more  interesting  creature.  It  is  found  from  the  mountains  in  Montana, 
next  the  Canadian  boundary,  to  the  south  of  Patagonia.  Yankee  stories  of  its  ferocity  may 
have  some  foundation  ;  but  the  writer  believes  there  is  no  recorded  instance  of  the  northern 
puma  attacking  man  unprovoked,  though  in  the  few  places  where  it  now  survives  it  kills 
cattle-calves  and  colts.  It  is  relentlessly  hunted  with  dogs,  treed,  and  shot.  As  to  the  puma 


Photo  by  Ottomar  Anschutz] 


FEMALE   PUMA. 
This  shows  a  puma  alert  and  vigilant,  with  ears  pricked  forward. 


[Berlin. 


of  the  southern  plains  and  central  forests,  the  natives,  whether  Indians  or  Gauchos,  agree  with 
the  belief,  steadily  handed  down  from  the  days  of  the  first  Spanish  conquest,  that  the  puma 
is  the  one  wild  cat  which  is  naturally  friendly  to  man.  The  old  Spaniards  called  it  amigo  del 
Cristiano  (the  Christian's  friend) ;  and  Mr.  Hudson,  in  "  The  Naturalist  in  La  Plata,"  gives 
much  evidence  of  this  most  curious  and  interesting  tendency  :  "  It  is  notorious  that  where  the 
puma  is  the  only  large  beast  of  prey  it  is  perfectly  safe  for  a  small  child  to  go  out  and  sleep 
on  the  plain.  .  .  .  The  puma  is  always  at  heart  a  kitten,  taking  unmeasured  delight  in  its 
frolics ;  and  when,  as  often  happens,  one  lives  alone  in  the  desert,  it  will  amuse  itself  for  hours 
fighting  mock  battles  or  playing  hide-and-seek  with  imaginary  companions,  or  lying  in  wait 
and  putting  all  its  wonderful  strategy  in  practice  to  capture  a  passing  butterfly."  From 
Azara  downwards  these  stories  have  been  told  too  often  not  to  be  largely  true ;  and  in  old  natural 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


histories,  whose  writers  believed 
the  puma  was  a  terrible  man-eater, 
they  also  appear  as  "  wonderful 
escapes."  One  tells  how  a  man 
put  his  poncho,  or  cloak,  over  his 
back  when  crawling  up  to  get  a 
shot  at  some  duck,  and  felt  some- 
thing heavy  on  the  end  of  it.  He 
crept  from  under  it,  and  there  was 
a  puma  sitting  on  it,  which  did 
not  offer  to  hurt  him. 

As  space  forbids  further 
quotation  from  Mr.  Hudson's 
experiences,  which  should  be  read, 
the  writer  will  only  add  one 
anecdote  which  was  told  him  by 
Mr.  Everard  im  Thurn,  C.B., 
formerly  an  official  in  British 
Guiana.  He  was  going  up  one 
of  the  big  rivers  in  his  steam- 
launch,  and  gave  a  passage  to  an 
elderly  and  respectable  Cornish 
miner,  who  wanted  to  go  up  to 
a  gold-mine.  The  visitor  had  his 
meals  on  the  boat,  but  at  night 
went  ashore  with  the  men  and 
slung  his  hammock  between  two 
trees,  leaving  the  cabin  to  his 
host.  One  morning  two  of  the 
Indian  crew  brought  the  miner's  hammock  on  board  with  a  good  deal  of  laughing  and 
talking.  Their  master  asked  what  the  joke  was,  whereupon,  pointing  to  the  trees  whence 
they  had  unslung  the  hammock,  one  said,  "Tiger  sleep  with  old  man  last  night."  They 
were  quite  in  earnest,  and  pointed  out  a  hollow  and  marks  on  the  leaves,  which  showed  that 
a  puma  had  been  lying  just  under  the  man's  hammock.  When  asked  if  he  had  noticed 
anything  in  the  night,  he  said,  "  Only  the  frogs  croaking  wakened  me  up."  The  croaking  of 
the  frogs  was  probably  the  hoarse  purring  of  the  friendly  puma  enjoying  his  proximity  to 
a  sleeping  man.  Mr.  Hudson  quotes  a  case  in  which  four  pumas  played  round  and  leapt  over  a 
person  camping  out  on  the  Pampas.  He  watched  them  for  some  time,  and  then  went  to  sleep ! 
Many  of  those  brought  to  this  country  come  with  their  tempers  ruined  by  ill-treatment  and 
hardship ;  but  a  large  proportion  are  as  tame  as  cats.  Captain  Marshall  had  one  at  Marlow  which 
used  to  follow  him  on  a  chain  and  watch  the  boats  full  of  pleasure-seekers  at  the  lock. 

The  puma  is  always  a  beautiful  creature, — the  fur  cinnamon-coloured,  tinged  with  gold ;  the 
belly  and  chest  white ;  the  tail  long,  full,  and  round.  Though  friendly  to  man,  it  is  a  desperate 
cattle-killer,  and  particularly  fond  of  horse-flesh,  so  much  so  that  it  has  been  suggested  that 
the  indigenous  wild  horses  of  America  were  destroyed  by  the  puma. 

There  are  two  other  cats  of  the  Pampas — the  GRASS-CAT,  not  unlike  our  wild  cat  in 
appearance  and  habits,  and  the  WOOD-CAT,  or  Geoffrey's  .Cat.  It  is  a  tabby,  and  a  most  elegant 
creature,  of  which  there  is  a  specimen,  at  the  time  of  writing,  in  the  London  Zoo. 

THE   OCELOT. 

In  the  forest  region  is  also  found  the  most  beautiful  of  the  medium-sized  cats.  This 
is  the  OCELOT,  which  corresponds  somewhat  to  the  servals,  but  is  not  the  least  like  a  lynx,  as 


Photo  by  Ottomar  Ansdiiitz] 


[.Berlin. 


OCELOT. 
Note  the  elongated  spots,  and  their  arrangement  in  chains. 


The    Cat    Tribe 


53 


the    scrvals    are.     It   is    entirely   a   tree-cat,  and   lives   on    birds   and    monkeys.     The   following 
detailed  description  of  its  coloration  appeared  in  "Life  at  the  Zoo":  — 

"  Its  coat,  with  the  exception  perhaps  of  that  of  the  clouded  leopard  of  Sumatra,  marks 
the  highest  development  of  ornament  among  four-footed  animals.  The  Argus  pheasant  alone 
seems  to  offer  a  parallel  to  the  beauties  of  the  ocelot's  fur,  especially  in  the  development  of 
the  wonderful  ocelli,  which,  though  never  reaching  in  the  beast  the  perfect  cup-and-ball 
ornament  seen  on  the  wings  of  the  bird,  can  be  traced  in  all  the  early  stages  of  spots  and 
wavy  lines,  so  far  as  the  irregular  shell-shaped  rim  and  dot  on  the  feet,  sides,  and  back,  just 
as  in  the  subsidiary  ornament  of  the  Argus  pheasant's  feathers.  Most  of  the  ground-tint  of 
the  fur  is  smoky-pearl  colour,  on  which  the  spots  develop  from  mere  dots  on  the  legs  and 


[Berlin. 


Photo  by  Ottnmnr  An»chHtz] 

OCELOT    FROM   CENTRAL    AMERICA. 
The  ocelot  can  be  tamed  and  almost  domesticated  if  taken  young,  and  is  occasionally  kept  as  a  pet  by  the  forest  Indians. 

speckles  on  the  feet    and    toes  to  large  egg-shaped    ocelli   on    the    flanks.      There   are   also   two 
beautiful    pearl-coloured    spots    on    the    back  of  each  ear,  like   those   which   form   the 
ornaments  of   the  wings  of  many  moths." 

The  nose  is  pink  ;    the  eye  large,  convex,  and  translucent. 

A  tame  ocelot  described  by  Wilson,  the  American  naturalist,  was  most  playful  an- 
affectionate,  but  when  fed  with  flesh  was  less  tractable.  It  jumped  on  to  the  back  o  a  horse 
in  the  stable,  and  tried  to  curl  up  on  its  hindquarters.  The  horse  threw  the  oce  o t  off and 
kicked  it  curing  it  of  any  disposition  to  ride.  On  seeing  a  horse,  the  ocelot  always  ran  off  to 
as  kennel  aftenvards.  When  sent  to  England,  it  caught  hold  of  and  threw  down  a  child  of 
four  years  old,  whom  it  rolled  about  with  its  paws  without  hurting  it. 


54 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


OTHER    WILD    CATS. 


A  HANDSOME  leopard-like  animal  is 
the  CLOUDED  LEOPARD.  It  is  the  size 
of  a  small  common  leopard,  but  far 
gentler  in  disposition.  Its  fur  is  not 
spotted,  but  marked  with  clouded 
patches,  outlined  in  grey  and  olive-brown. 
Its  skin  is  among  the  most  beautiful 
of  the  Cats.  It  is  found  in  the  Malay 
Peninsula,  Borneo,  Sumatra,  Formosa, 
and  along  the  foot  of  the  Himalaya 
from  Nepal  to  Assam.  Writing  of 
two  which  he  kept,  Sir  Stamford 
Raffles  said  :  "  No  kitten  could  be  more 
good-tempered.  They  were  always 
courting  intercourse  with  persons  pass- 
ing by,  and  in  the  expression  of 
their  countenance  showed  the  greatest 
delight  when  noticed,  throwing  them- 
selves on  their  backs,  and  delighting 


Photo  by  A.  S.  Rudland  <k  Son*. 

FISHING-CAT. 
This  wild  cat  haunts  the  sides  of  rivers,  and  is  an  expert  at  catching  fish. 

are  yellow  and  spotted,  those  which  are 
grey  and  spotted,  and  those  which  are 
grey  and  striped,  or  "whole-coloured." 
There  is  no  wholly  grey  wild  cat,  but 
several  sandy-coloured  species.  All  live  on 
birds  and  small  mammals,  and  probably 
most  share  the  tame  cat's  liking  for  fish. 
Among  the  grey-and-spotted  cats  are  the 
MOTTLED  CAT  of  the  Eastern  Himalaya 
and  Straits  Settlements  and  islands ;  the 
TIBETAN  TIGER-CAT;  the  FISHING-CAT  of 
India  and  Ceylon,  which  is  large  enough 
to  kill  lambs,  but  lives  much  on  fish  and 
large  marsh-snails ;  GEOFFROY'S  CAT,  an 
American  species;  the  LEOPARD-CAT  of  Java 


Photo  by  A.  S.  Rudland  &  Sons. 

CLOUDED   LEOPARD. 
It  shares  with  the  ocelot  the  first  place  among  the  highly  ornamented  cats. 

in  being  tickled  and  rubbed.  On  board 
ship  there  was  a  small  dog,  which  used  to 
play  around  the  cage  with  the  animal.  It 
was  amusing  to  watch  the  tenderness  and 
playfulness  with  which  the  latter  came 
in  contact  with  its  smaller-sized  com- 
panion." Both  specimens  were  procured 
from  the  banks  of  the  Bencoolin  River,  in 
Sumatra.  They  are  generally  found  near 
villages,  and  are  not  dreaded  by  the 
natives,  except  in  so  far  that  they  destroy 
their  poultry. 

The  number  of  smaller  leopard-cats 
and  tiger-cats  is  very  great.  They  fall, 
roughly,  into  three  groups :  those  which 


Photo  by  A.  S.  Rudland  <k  lions. 

MARBLED   CAT. 

Another  beautifully  marked  cat.     The  tail  is  spotted  and  very  long,  the 
marbled  markings  being  on  the  body  only 


Photo  b 


[Berlin. 
GOLDEN   CAT. 

,urnatra  is  the  borne  of  this  very  beautifully  coloured  cat.     The  general  tint  is  that  of  gold-stone.     Sometimes  the  belly  is  pure  white. 

55 


\ 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


Phntn  by  A.  S.  Rvdland  &  Sont. 

PAMPAS-CAT. 

Note  the  likeness  of  the  thick  tail  and  barred  legs  to  our  English  wild  cat. 
"  Inexpressibly  savage  in  disposition  "  (Hudson). 


the  most  beautiful  is  the  GOLDEN  CAT  of 
Sumatra,  one  of  which  is  now  in  the 
Zoological  Gardens.  It  has  a  coat  the 
colour  of  gold-stone.  The  nose  is  pink, 
the  eyes  large  and  topaz-coloured,  the 
cheeks  striped  with  white,  and  the  under- 
parts  and  lower  part  of  the  tail  pure 
white. 

Four  kinds  of  wild  cats  are  known  in 
South  Africa,  of  which  the  largest  is  the 
SERVAL,  a  short-tailed,  spotted  animal,  with 
rather  more  woolly  fur  than  the  leopard's. 
The  length  is  about  4  feet  2  inches,  of 
which  the  tail  is  only  12  inches.  It  is  found 
from  Algeria  to  the  Cape;  but  its  favourite 
haunts,  like  those  of  all  the  wild  cats  of 
hot  countries,  are  in  the  reeds  by  rivers. 


and  Japan,  which  seems  to  have  grey  fur 
in  Japan  and  a  fulvous  leopard-like  skin 
in  India,  where  it  is  also  called  the  TJGEH- 
CAT  ;  and  the  smallest  of  all  wild  cats,  the 
little  RUSTY-S POTTED  CAT  of  India.  This 
has  rusty  spots  on  a  grey  ground.  "1  had 
a  kitten  brought  to  me,"  says  Dr.  Jerdon 
of  the  species,  "when  very  young.  It 
became  quite  tame,  and  was  the  delight 
and  admiration  of  all  who  saw  it.  When 
it  was  about  eight  months  old,  I  introduced 
the  fawn  of  a  gazelle  into  the  room  where 
it  was.  The  little  creature  flew  at  it  the 
moment  it  saw  it,  seized  it  by  the  nape 
of  the  neck,  and  was  with  difficulty  taken 
off.  Of  the  whole-coloured  wild  cats — which 
include  the  BAY  CAT,  the  American  PAMPAS- 
CAT,  PALLAS'  CAT  of  Tibet  and  India — 


Photo  by  A.  S.  Rudland  <t  Sons. 

BAY  CAT. 
This  is  an  example  of  the  completely  tawny  small  cats. 


t'kolo  by  A.  is.  Jiudland  tic  Sons. 

EYRA  CAT. 

The  lowest  and  longest  of  the  cats,  shaped  more  like  a  civet ;  it  is  readily 
tamed,  and  makes  a  charming  pet. 

It  kills  hares,  rats,  birds,  and  small  mammals 
generally. 

The  BLACK-FOOTED  WILD  CAT  is  another 
African  species.  It  is  a  beautiful  spotted- 
and-lined  tabby,  the  size  of  a  small  domestic 
cat,  and  as  likely  as  any  other  to  be  the 
origin  of  our  tabby  variety,  if  tame  cats 
came  to  Europe  from  Africa.  At  present 
it  is  only  found  south  in  the  Kalahari 
Desert  and  Bechuanaland. 

The  KAFFIR  CAT  is  the  common  wild 
cat  of  the  Cape  Colony,  and  a  very  in- 
teresting animal.  It  is  a  whole-coloured 
tawny,  upstanding  animal,  with  all  the 
indifference  to  man  and  generally  in- 
dependent character  of  the  domestic  tom-cat. 


The    Cat    Tribe 


57 


Photo  by  A.  S.  Rudland  <i-  Sons. 

KAFFIR   CAT. 

The  common  wild  cat  of  South  Africa.     It  will  interbreed  with 
domestic  cats. 


It  is,  however,  much  stronger  than  the 
tame  cats,  with  which  it  interbreeds  freely. 
In  the  Colony  it  is  often  difficult  to 
keep  male  tame  cats,  for  the  wild  Kaffir 
cats  come  down  and  fight  them  in  the 
breeding-season.  The  Egyptian  cat  is  really 
the  same  animal,  slightly  modified  by 
climate.  A  very  distinct  species  is  the 
=  JUNGLE-CAT,  ranging  from  India,  through 
Baluchistan,  Syria,  and  East  Africa,  and  called 
in  Hindustani  the  CHAUS.  The  European 
striped  wild  cat  extends  to  the  Himalaya, 
where  the  range  of  the  lion-coloured, 
yellow-eyed  chaus  begins.  The  chaus  has 
a  few  black  bars  inside  the  legs,  which 
vary  in  different  regions.  The  Indian 

chaus  has  only  one  distinctly  marked;  the  Kaffir  cat  has  four  or  five.  The  EGYPTIAN 
FETIERED  CAT  has  been  said  to  be  the  origin  of  the  domestic  and  sacred  cats  of 
Egypt-  A  male  chaus  is  most  formidable  when  "cornered."  General  Hamilton  chased 
one,  which  had  prowled  into  the  cantonments  on  the  look-out  for  fowls,  into  a  fence. 
"After  a  long  time  I  spied  the  cat  squatting  in  a  hedge,"  he  writes,  "and  called  for 
the  dogs.  When  they  came,  I  knelt  down  and  began  clapping  my  hands  and  cheering 
them  on.  The  cat  suddenly  made  a  clean  spring  at  my  face.  I  had  just  time  to 
catch  it  as  one  would  a  cricket-ball,  and,  giving  its  ribs  a  strong  squeeze,  threw  it  to 
the  dogs  ;  but  not  before  it  had  made  its  teeth  meet  in  my  arm  just  above  the  wrist.  For 
some  weeks  I  had  to  carry  my  arm  in  a  sling,  and  I  shall  carry  the  marks  of  the  bite  to 
my  grave." 

The  chaus,  as  will  be  seen  from  the  above,  wanders  boldly  down  into  the  outskirts  of  large 
towns,  cantonments,  and  bungalows,  on  the  look-out  for  chickens  and  pigeons.  Its  favourite 
plan  is  to  lie  up  at  dawn  in  some  piece  of  thick  cover  near  to  where  the  poultry  wander  out 
to  scratch,  feed,  and  bask.  It  then  pounces  on  the  nearest  unhappy  hen  and  rushes  off  with  it 
into  cover.  An  acquaintance  of  the  writer  once  had  a  number  of  fine  Indian  game  fowl,  of 
which  he  was  not  a  little  proud.  He  noticed  that  one  was  missing  every  morning  for 
three  days,  and,  not  being  able  to 
discover  the  robber,  shut  them  up  in 
a  hen-house.  Next  morning  he  heard 
a  great  commotion  outside,  and  one 
of  his  bearers  came  running  in  to  say 
that  a  leopard  was  in  the  hen-house. 
As  this  was  only  built  of  bamboo  or 
some  such  light  material,  it  did  not  seem 
probable  that  a  leopard  would  stay  there. 
Getting  his  rifle,  he  went  out  into  the 
compound,  and  cautiously  approached 
the  hen-house,  in  which  the  fowls  were 
still  making  loud  protests  and  cries  of 
alarm.  The  door  was  shut;  but  some 
creature — certainly  not  a  leopard — might 
have  squeezed  in  through  the  small  en- 

,  ,  .  TT  ,    ,,  Photo  ly  A.  S.  Rudland  &  Sons. 

trance  used  by  the  hens.     He  opened  the  AFRICAN  CHAUS,  OR  JUNGLE-CAT. 

door,  and  Saw  at  the  back  Of  the  hen-house  The  chaus  .g  the  Indlan  and  African  equivalent  of  our  wild  cat.     It  is 

a    chaUS    Sitting,  With    all    its    fur    On    end,  equally  strong  and  savage. 

8 


.« 1 : 
Jit. 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


looking  almost  as  large  as  a  small  leopard.  On  the  floor  was  one  dead  fowl.  The  impudent 
jungle-cat  rushed  for  the  door,  but  had  the  coolness  to  seize  the  hen  as  it  passed,  and  with 
this  in  its  mouth  rushed  past  the  owner  of  the  hens,  his  servants  and  retainers,  and  reached 
a  piece  of  thick  scrub  near  with  its  prize. 

As  the  chaus  is  common  both  in  India  and  Africa,  a  comparison  of  its  habits  in  both 
continents  is  somewhat  interesting.  Jerdon,  the  Indian  naturalist,  writes :  "  It  is  the  common 
wild  cat  from  the  Himalaya  to  Cape  Comorin,  and  from  the  level  of  the  sea  to  7,000  or  8,000 
feet  elevation.  It  frequents  alike  the  jungles  and  the  open  country,  and  is  very  partial  to  long 
reeds,  and  grass,  sugarcane-fields,  and  corn-fields.  It  does  much  damage  to  all  game,  especially 
to  hares  and  partridges.  Quite  recently  I  shot  a  pea-fowl  at  the  edge  of  a  sugarcane-field. 
One  of  these  cats  sprang  out,  seized  the  pea-fowl,  and  after  a  short  struggle — for  the  bird  was 
not  quite  dead — carried  it  off  before  my  astonished  eyes,  and,  in  spite  of  my  running  up,  made 
his  escape  with  his  booty.  It  must  have  been  stalking  these  very  birds,  so  closely  did  its  spring 
follow  my  shot.  It  is  said  to  breed  twice  a  year,  and  to  have  three  or  four  young  at  a  birth.  I 
have  very  often  had  the  young  brought  to  me,  but  always  failed  in  rearing  them ;  arid  they  always 
showed  a  savage  and  untamable  disposition.  I  have  seen  numbers  of  cats  about  villages  in 
various  parts  of  the  country  that  must  have  been  hybrids  between  this  cat  and  the  tame  ones." 

The  late  Sir  Oliver  St.  John  was  more  fortunate  with  his  jungle-cat  kittens.  He  obtained 
three  in  Persia.  These  he  reared  till  they  were  three  months  old,  by  which  time  they  became 
so  tame  that  they  would  climb  on  to  his  knees  at  breakfast-time,  and  behave  like  ordinary 
kittens.  One  was  killed  by  a  greyhound,  and  another  by  a  scorpion — a  curious  fate  for  a  kitten 
to  meet.  The  survivor  then  became  morose  and  ill-tempered,  but  grew  to  be  a  large  and  strong 
animal.  "Two  English  bull-terriers  of  mine,  which  would  make  short  work  of  the  largest 
domestic  cat,  could  do  nothing  against  my  wild  cat,"  says  the  same  writer.  "  In  their  almost 
daily  battles  the  dogs  always  got  the  worst  of  it." 

In    Africa   the    chaus    haunts  the   thick    cover   bordering  the   rivers.      There  it  catches  not 

o 

only  water-fowl,  but  also  fish.  According  to  Messrs.  Nicolls  and  Ellington,  "  its  spoor 
may  constantly  be  seen  imprinted  on  the  mud  surrounding  such  pools  in  the  periodical 
watercourses  as  are  constantly  being  dried  up,  and  in  which  fish  may  probably  be  imprisoned 
without,  chance  of  escape."  The  chaus  has  for  neighbour  in  Africa  the  beautiful  SERVAL,  a 
larger  wild  cat.  This  species  is  reddish  in  colour,  spotted  on  the  body,  and  striped  on  the 
legs.  The  ears  are  long,  but  not  tufted,  like  those  of  the  lynx.  The  serval  is  more  common 
in  North  and  Central  Africa  than  in  the  South.  But  it  is  also  found  south  of  the  Tropic  of 
Capricorn.  Messrs.  Nicolls  and  Eglington  say  of  it :  "Northward  through  South  Central  Africa  it 

is  fairly  common.  It  frequents  the  thick 
bush  in  the  vicinity  of  rivers.  The 
karosses,  or  mantles,  made  from  its 
skins  are  only  worn  by  the  chiefs  and 
very  high  dignitaries  amongst  the  native 
tribes,  and  are  in  consequence  eagerly 
sought  after,  on  which  account  the 
species  runs  a  risk  of  rapid  extermi- 
nation. Its  usual  prey  consists  of 
the  young  of  the  smaller  antelopes, 
francolins,  and  wild  guinea-fowls,  to 
the  latter  of  which  it  is  a  most 
destructive  enemy  in  the  breeding- 
season.  When  obtained  young,  the 
serval  can  be  tamed  with  little  trouble ; 

by  L.  Midland,  F.Z.S.]  [Xorth  FincUey.  but  it  is   difficult  to  rear,  and  always 

SERVAL.  shows  a  singular  and  almost  unaccount- 

This  is  a  spotted  cat,  with  long  ears,  but  no  tufts  on  them,  as  in  the  true  lynxes.  able       aversion      to       black       men.          Its 


Photo  by  Ottomar  Anschiitz] 


[Berlin. 


MALE  SEEVAL. 

The  serval  is  a  link  between  the  leopards  and  tiger-cats,  quite  large  enough  to  kill  the  young  of  tho  smaller  antelopes. 

59 


6o 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


otherwise  even  temper  is  always  aroused  at 
the  sight  of  a  native.  When  in  anger,  it  is 
by  no  means  a  despicable  antagonist,  and 
very  few  dogs  would  like  to  engage  in  a 
combat  with  one  single-handed." 

THE  COMMON  WILD  CAT. 

The  WILD  CAT  was  once  fairly  common 
all  over  England.  A  curious  story,  obviously 
exaggerated,  shows  that  traditions  of  its 
ferocity  were  common  at  a  very  early  date. 
The  tale  is  told  of  the  church  of  Barn- 
borough,  in  Yorkshire,  between  Doncaster  and 
Barnsley.  It  is  said  that  a  man  and  a  wild 
cat  met  in  a  wood  near  and  began  to  fight; 
that  the  cat  drove  the  man  out  of  the  wood 
as  far  as  the  church,  where  he  took  refuge 
in  the  porch ;  and  that  both  the  man  and 
cat  were  so  injured  that  they  died.  Accord- 
ing to  Dr.  Pearce,  the  event  was  formerly 
commemorated  by  a  rude  painting  in  the 
church. 

Mr.  Charles  St.  John  had  an  experience 
with  a  Scotch  wild  cat  very  like  that  which 
General  Douglas  Hamilton  tells  of  the  jungle- 
cat.  He  heard  many  stories  of  their  attack- 
ing and  wounding  men  when  trapped  or 
when  their  escape  was  cut  off,  and  before 
long  found  out  that  these  were  true.  "  1 
was  fishing  in  a  river  in  Sutherland,"  he 
wrote,  "and  in  passing  from  one  pool  to 
another  had  to  climb  over  some  rocky  ground. 
In  doing  so,  I  sank  almost  up  to  my  knees 
in  some  rotten  heather  and  moss,  almost  upon 
a  wild  cat  which  was  concealed  under  it. 
I  was  quite  as  much  startled  as  the  cat  itself 
could  be,  when  I  saw  the  wild-looking  beast 
rush  so  unexpectedly  from  between  my  feet, 
with  every  hair  on  her  body  on  end,  making 
her  look  twice  as  large  as  she  really  was.  I  had  three  small  Skye  terriers  with  me,  wrhich 
immediately  gave  chase,  and  pursued  her  till  she  took  refuge  in  a  corner  of  the  rocks,  where, 
perched  in  a  kind  of  recess  out  of  reach  of  her  enemies,  she  stood  with  her  hair  bristled  out, 
spitting  and  growling  like  a  common  cat.  Having  no  weapon  with  me,  I  laid  down  my  rod, 
cut  a  good-sized  stick,  and  proceeded  to  dislodge  her.  As  soon  as  I  was  within  six  or  seven 
feet  of  the  place,  she  sprang  straight  at  my  face  over  the  dogs'  heads.  Had  I  not  struck  her 
in  mid-air  as  she  leaped  at  me,  I  should  probably  have  received  a  severe  wound.  As  it  was, 
she  fell  with  her  back  half  broken  among  the  dogs,  who  with  my  assistance  dispatched  her. 
I  never  saw  an  animal  fight  so  desperately,  or  one  which  was  so  difficult  to  kill.  If  a  tame 
cat  has  nine  lives,  a  wild  cat  must  have  a  dozen.  Sometimes  one  of  these  animals  will 
take  up  its  residence  at  no  great  distance  from  a  house,  and,  entering  the  hen-roosts  and 
outbuildings,  will  carry  off  fowls  in  the  most  audacious  manner,  or  even  lambs.  Like  other 


Photo  by  Ottomar  Anschiitz'] 

SERVAL  CLIMBING. 
Note  the  active,  cat-like  method  of  climbing. 


[Berlin. 


The    Cat    Tribe 


61 


vermin,  the  wild  cat  haunts  the  shores  of  lakes  and  rivers,  and  it  is  therefore  easy  to  know 
where  to  set  a  trap  for  them.  Having  caught  and  killed  one  of  the  colony,  the  rest  of  them 
are  sure  to  be  taken  if  the  body  of  their  slain  relative  is  left  in  the  same  place  not  far  from 
their  usual  hunting-ground  and  surrounded  with  traps,  as  every  wild  cat  passing  that  way 
will  to  a  certainty  come  to  it." 

The  wild  cat  ranges  from  the  far  north  of  Scotland,  across  Europe  and  Northern  Asia, 
to  the  northern  slopes  of  the  Himalaya.  It  has  always  been  known  as  one  of  the  fiercest  and 
wildest  of  the  cats,  large  or  small.  The  continual  ill-temper  of  these  creatures  is  remarkable. 
In  the  experience  of  the  keepers  of  menageries  there  is  no  other  so  intractably  savage.  One 
presented  to  the  Zoological  Gardens  by  Lord  Lilford  some  eight  years  ago  still  snarls  and  spits 
at  any  one  who  comes  near  it,  even  the  keeper. 

The  food  of  the  wild  cat  is  grouse,  mountain-hares,  rabbits,  small  birds,  and  probably  fish 
caught  in  the  shallow  waters  when  chance  offers.  It  is  wholly  nocturnal;  consequently  no 
one  ever  sees  it  hunting  for  prey.  Though  it  has  long  been  confined  to  the  north  and  north- 
west of  Scotland,  it  is  by  no  means  on  the  verge  of  extinction.  The  deer-forests  are  saving 
it  to  some  extent,  as  they  did  the  golden  eagle.  Grouse  and  hares  are  rather  in  the  way 
when  deer  are  being  stalked;  consequently  the  wild  cat  and  the  eagle  are  not  trapped  or 
shot.  The  limits  of  its  present  fastnesses  were  recently  fixed  by  careful  Scotch  naturalists 
at  the  line  of  the  Caledonian  Canal.  Mr.  Harvie  Brown,  in  1880,  said  that  it  only  survived 
in  Scotland  north  of  a  line  running  from  Oban  to  the  junction  of  the  three  counties 
of  Perth,  Forfar,  and  Aberdeen,  and  thence  through  Banffshire  to  Inverness.  But  the 
conclusion  of  a  writer  in  the  Edinburgh  Review  of  July,  1898,  in  a  very  interesting  article 
on  the  survival  of  British  mammals,  has  been  happily  contradicted.  He  believed  that  it  only 
survived  in  the  deer-forests  of  Inverness  and  Sutherlandshire.  The  wild  cats  shown  in  the 
illustrations  of  these  pages  were  caught  a  year  later  as  far  south  as  Argyllshire.  The  father  and 
two  kittens  were  all  secured,  practically  unhurt,  and  purchased  by  Mi.  Percy  Leigh  Pemberton  for 
his  collection  of  British  mammals  at  Ashford.  in  Kent.  This  gentleman  has  had  great  success 
in  preserving  his  wild  cats.  They,  as  well  as  others — martens,  polecats,  and  other  small 
carnivora — are  fed  on  fresh  wild  rabbits  killed  in  a  warren  near;  consequently  they  are  in 
splendid  condition.  The  old  "torn"  wild  cat,  snarling  with  characteristic  ill-humour,  was  well 
supported  by  the  wild  and  savage  little  kittens,  which  exhibited  all  the  family  temper.  Shortly 


Sit  permission  of  Percy  Leigh  Pemberton,  Esq. 


EUROPEAN  WILD  CAT. 


The  British  representative  of  this  species  is  rapiuly  becoming  extinct.     The  specimen  whose  portrait  i*  given  here  was  caught  in  Argyllshire. 


62 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


By  permission  of  Percy  Leigh  Pemberton,  Esq. 

SCOTCH   WILD   CATS, 

These  wild  cats,  the  property  of  Mr.  P.  Leigh  Peruberton,  though  regularly  fed  and  well  treated,  show  their  natural  bad-temper  in  their  faces. 

before  the  capture  of  these  wild  cats  another  family  were  trapped  in  Aberdeenshire  and 
brought  to  the  Zoological  Gardens.  Four  kittens,  beautiful  little  savages,  with  bright  green 
eyes,  and  uninjured,  were  safely  taken  to  Kegent's  Park.  But  the  quarters  given  them  were 
very  small  and  cold,  and  they  all  died.  Two  other  full-grown  wild  cats  brought  there  a  few 
years  earlier  were  so  dreadfully  injured  by  the  abominable  steel  traps  in  which  they  were 
caught  that  they  both  died  of  blood-poisoning. 

The  real  wild  cats  differ  in  their  markings  on  the  body,  some  being  more  clearly  striped, 
while  others  are  only  brindled.  But  they  are  all  alike  in  the  squareness  and  thickness  of 
head  and  body,  and  in  the  short  tail,  ringed  with  black,  and  growing  larger  at  the  tip,  which 
ends  off  like  a  shaving-brush. 

It  may  well  be  asked,  Which  of  the  many  species  of  wild  cats  mentioned  above  is  the 
ancestor  of  our  domestic  cats?  Probably  different  species  in  different  countries.  The  African 
Kaffir  cat,  the  Indian  leopard-cat,  the  rusty-spotted  cat  of  India,  and  the  European  wild  cat 
all  breed  with  tame  cats.  It  is  therefore  probable  that  the  spotted,  striped,  and  brindled 
varieties  of  tame  cats  are  descended  from  wild  species  which  had  those  markings.  The 
so-called  red  tame  cats  are  doubtless  descended  from  the  tiger-coloured  wild  cats.  But  it  is  a 
curious  fact  that,  though  the  spotted  grey-tabby  wild  varieties  are  the  least  common,  that  colour 
is  most  frequent  in  the  tame  species. 

THE    LYNXES. 

IN  THE  LYNXES  we  seem  to  have  a  less  specially  cat-like  form.  They  are  short-tailed,  high 
in  the  leg,  and  broad-faced.  Less  active  than  the  leopards  and  tiger-cats,  and  able  to  live 
either  in  very  hot  or  very  cold  countries,  they  are  found  from  the  Persian  deserts  to  the  far 
north  of  Siberia  and  Canada. 

The  CARACAL 'is  a  southern,  hot- country  lynx.  It  has  a  longer  tail  than  the  others,  but 
the  same  tufted  ears.  It  seems  a  link  between  the  lynxes  and  the  jungle -cats.  It  is  found 
in  India,  Palestine,  Persia,  and  Mesopotamia.  In  India  it  was  trained,  like  the  cheeta,  to 


The    Cat    Tribe 


catch  birds,  gazelles,  and  hares.  The  COMMON  LYNX  is  probably  the  same  animal,  whether 
found  in  Norway,  Kussia,  the  Carpathians,  Turkestan,  China,  or  Tibet.  The  CANADIAN  LYNX 
is  also  very  probably  the  same,  with  local  differences  of  colour.  The  NORTHERN  LYNX  is 
the  largest  feline  animal  left  in  Europe,  and  kills  sheep  and  goats  equally  with  hares  and 
squirrels.  The  beautiful  fur,  of  pale  cinnamon  and  light  grey,  is  much  admired.  In  some 
southern  districts  of  America  we  have  the  RED  LYNX,  or  so-called  "  wild  cat,"  which  is  distinct 
from  the  lynx  of  Canada.  The  MEDITERRANEAN  or  SPANISH  LYNX  seems  likewise  entitled  to 
rank  as  a  distinct  species. 

Of  the  lynxes  the  CARACALS  are  perhaps  the  most  interesting,  from  their  capacity  for 
domestication.  They  are  found  in  Africa  in  the  open  desert  country,  whereas  the  SERVAL  is 
found  in  the  thick  bush.  In  Africa  it  is  believed  to  be  the  most  savage  and  untamable  of 
the  Cats.  That  is  probably  because  the  Negro  and  the  Kaffir  never  possessed  the  art  of  training 
animals,  from  the  elephant  downwards.  In  India  the  caracal's  natural  prey  are  the  fawns  of  deer 
and  antelope,  pea-fowl,  hares,  and  floricans.  The  caracal  is  the  quickest  with  its  feet  of  any  of 
the  Cats.  One  of  its  best-known  feats  is  to  spring  up  and  catch  birds  passing  over  on  the 
wing  at  a  height  of  six  or  eight  feet  from  the  ground.  A  writer,  in  the  Naturalist's 
Library,  notes  that,  besides  being  tamed  to  catch  deer,  pea-fowl,  and  cranes,  the  caracal  was 
used  in  ''pigeon  matches."  Two  caracals  were  backed  one  against  the  other  to  kill  pigeons. 
The  birds  were  fed  on  the  ground,  and  the  caracals  suddenly  let  loose  among  them,  to  strike 
down  as  many  as  each  could  before  the  birds  escaped.  Each  would  sometimes  strike  down 
with  its  fore  paws  ten  or  a  dozen  pigeons.  "  Caracal "  means  in  Turkish  "  Black  Ear,"  in  allusion 
to  the  colour  of  the  animal's  organ  of  hearing. 

The  COMMON  LYNX  is  a  thick-set  animal,  high  in  the  leg,  with  a  square  head  and  very 
strong  paws  and  forearms.  It  is  found  across  the  whole  northern  region  of  Europe  and  Asia. 
Although  never  known  in  Britain  in  historic  times,  it  is  still  occasionally  seen  in  parts  of  the 
Alps  and  in  the  Carpathians  ;  it  is  also  common  in  the  Caucasus.  It  is  mainly  a  forest  animal, 
and  very  largely  nocturnal;  therefore  it  is  seldom  seen,  and  not  often  hunted.  If  any  enemy 
approaches,  the  lynx  lies  perfectly  still  on  some  branch  or  rock,  and  generally  succeeds  in 
avoiding  notice.  The  lynx  is  extremely  active;  it  can  leap  great  distances,  and  makes  its 


[Berlin. 


LYNX, 

This  animal  is  a  uniformly  coloured  specie  common  to  India  and  Africa. 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


Photo  by  A.  S.  Rudland  &  Sow. 

EUROPEAN  LYNX. 
The  largest  of  the  cat  tribe  left  in  Europe. 


attack  usually  in  that  way.  "SVlien 
travelling,  it  trots  or  gallops  in  a 
very  dog-like  fashion.  Where  sheep 
graze  at  large  on  mountains,  as  in  the 
Balkans  and  in  Greece,  the  lynx  is  a 
great  enemy  of  the  flocks.  In  Norway, 
where  the  animal  is  now  very  rare, 
there  is  a  tradition  that  it  is  more 
mischievous  than  the  wolf,  and  a  high 
price  is  set  on  its  head. 

In  Siberia  and  North  Russia 
most  of  the  lynx-skins  taken  are 
sold  to  the  Chinese.  The  lynx-skins 
brought  to  London  are  mainly  those 
of  the  Canadian  species.  The  fur  is 
dyed,  and  used  for  the  busbies  of 
the  officers  in  our  hussar  regiments. 
These  skins  vary  much  in  colour,  and 
in  length  and  quality  of  fur.  The 
price  varies  correspondingly.  The 
Canadian  lynx  lives  mainly  on  the 
wood-hares  and  on  the  wood-grouse 

of   the  North  American  forests.     The  flesh  of   the  lynx    is  said  to  be  good  and  tender. 

Brehm    says   of  the  Siberian  lynx :    "  It    is    a  forest    animal    in   the    strictest  sense    of    the 

word.     But  in  Siberia  it  occurs  only  singly,  and   is   rarely  captured.       Its   true  home  is  in  the 

thickest  parts   in    the   interior    of   the  woods,  and  these  it  probably  never    leaves   except    when 

scarcity  of  food  or  the  calls  of  love  tempt  it  to  wander  to  the    outskirts.     Both  immigrants  and 

natives    hold  the   hunting  of  the   lynx  in   high  esteem.     This  proud  cat's  activity,  caution  and 

agility,  and  powers  of  defence  arouse   the   enthusiasm  of  every    sportsman,  and   both    skin    and 

flesh   are  valued,  the  latter  not  only  by  the  Mongolian  tribes,  but  also  by  the  Russian  hunters. 

The   lynx  is  seldom   captured 

in     fall-traps;     he     often 

rendeis  them  useless  by  walk- 
ing    along     the     beam     and 

stepping    on    the    lever,    and 

he    usually    leaps     over     the 

spring-traps  in  his   path.     So 

only     the     rifle     and     dogs 

are  left." 

The  RED  LYNX  is  a  small 

American  variety,  the  coat  of 

which  turns  tawny  in  summer, 

when    it    much    resembles    a 

large  cat.     It  is  called  in  some 

parts    of    the    United    States 

the  Mountain-cat.     This  lynx 

is  30  inches  long  in  the  body. 

with  a  tail  6  inches  long.     It 
is    found    on    the    eastern    or 
Atlantic  side  of  the  continent, 
and    by   no   means   shuns   the 
neighbourhood  of  settlements. 


By  permission  of  Mr.  S.  B.  Gundy]  [Toronto. 

CANADIAN   LYNX. 
Great  numbers  of  these  are  trapped  every  year  for  the  sake  of  their  fur. 


Phnta  by  Ottomar  AnschUte,  Berlin. 

WOLF     FROM     CENTRAL     EUROPE. 
The  last  persons  recorded  as  killed  by  these  animals  were  an  artist  and  his  wife  travelling  in  Hungary. 


Pkoto  by  Ottomar  Anschiitz]  [Berlin. 

CHEETAS. 

Cheetas  can  be  distinguished  at  a  glance  from  ordinary  leopards  by  the  solid  black  spots  on  the  back  instead  of  the  "  rosettes." 

65  9 


66 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


THE    CHEETA. 

THE     NON-RETRACTILE-CLAWED     CAT. 

THE  CHEETA,  or  Hunting-leopard,  is 
the  only  example  of  this  particular  group, 
though  there  was  an  extinct  form,  whose 
remains  are  found  in  the  Siwalik  Hills,  ir 
the  north  of  India.  It  is  a  very  widely 
dispersed  animal,  found  in  Persia,  Turkestan, 
and  the  countries  east  of  the  Caspian,  and  in 
India  so  far  as  the  lower  part  of  the  centre 
of  the  peninsula.  It  is  also  common  in 
Africa,  where  until  recent  years  it  was  found 
in  Cape  Colony  and  Natal.  Now  it  is 
banished  to  the  Kalahari  Desert,  the  Northern 
Transvaal,  and  Bechuanaland. 

The  cheeta  is  more  dog-like  than  any 
other  cat.  It  stands  high  on  the  leg,  and 
has  a  short,  rounded  head.  Its  fur  is  short 
and  rather  woolly,  its  feet  rounded,  and  its 
claws,  instead  of  slipping  back  into  sheaths 
like  a  lion's,  are  only  partly  retractile. 

Mr.  Lockwood  Kipling  gives  the  follow- 
ing account  of  the  cheeta  and  its  keepers  : 
"  The  only  point  where  real  skill  comes  into 
play  in  dealing  with  the  hunting-leopard 
is  in  catching  the  adult  animal  when  it 
has  already  learnt  the  swift,  bounding  onset, 
its  one  accomplishment.  '  The  young  cheeta  is  not  worth  catching,  for  it  has  not  yet  learnt 
its  trade,  nor  can  it  be  taught  in  captivity.  .  .  .  There  are  certain  trees  where  these  great 
dog-cats  (for  they  have  some  oddly  canine  characteristics)  come  to  play  and  whet  their  claws. 
The  hunters  find  such  a  tree,  and  arrange  nooses  of  deer-sinew  round  it,  and  wait  the  event. 
The  animal  comes  and  is  caught  by  the  leg,  and  it  is  at  this  point  that  the  trouble  begins. 
It  is  no  small  achievement .  for  two  or  three  naked,  ill-fed  men  to  secure  so  fierce  a  capture 
and  carry  it  home  tied  on  a  cart.  Then  his  training  begins.  He  is  tied  in  all  directions, 
principally  from  a  thick  rope  round  his  loins,  while  a  hood  fitted  over  his  head  effectually 
blinds  him.  He  is  fastened  on  a  strong  cot-bedstead,  and  the  keepers  and  their  wives  and 
families  reduce  him  to  submission  by  starving  him  and  keeping  him  awake.  His  head  is  made 
to  face  the  village  street,  and  for  an  hour  at  a  time,  several  times  a  day,  his  keepers  make 
pretended  rushes  at  him,  and  wave  clothes,  staves,  and  other  articles  in  his  face.  He  is 
talked  to  continually,  and  the  women's  tongues  are  believed  to  be  the  most  effective  of  things 
to  keep  him  awake.  No  created  being  could  withstand  the  effects  of  hunger,  want  of  sleep, 
and  feminine  scolding;  and  the  poor  cheeta  becomes  piteously,  abjectly  tame.  He  is  taken 
out  for  a  walk  occasionally — if  a  slow  crawl  between  four  attendants,  all  holding  hard,  can  be 
called  a  walk — and  his  promenades  are  always  through  the  crowded  streets  and  bazaars,  where 
the  keepers'  friends  are  to  be  found  ;  but  the  people  are  rather  pleased  than  otherwise  to  see  the 
raja's  cheetas  amongst  them."  Later,  when  the  creature  is  tamed,  "  the  cheeta's  bedstead 
is  like  that  of  the  keeper,  and  leopard  and  man  are  often  curled  up  under  the  same  blanket ! 
When  his  bedfellow  is  restless,  the  keeper  lazily  stretches  out  an  arm  from  his  end  of  the  col 
and  dangles  a  tassel  over  the  animal's  head,  which  seems  to  soothe  him.  In  the  early  morning 
I  have  seen  a  cheeta  sitting  up  on  his  couch,  a  red  blanket  half  covering  him,  and  his  tasselled 
red  hood  awry,  looking  exactly  like  an  elderly  gentleman  in  a  nightcap,  as  he  yawns  with  the 
irresolute  air  of  one  who  is  in  doubt  whether  to  rise  or  to  turn  in  for  another  nap." 


Photo  ly  York  &  Son]  [Notting  Rill. 

A  CHEETA  HOODED. 

The  cheeta  is  not  unheeded  until  fairly  near  his  quarry,  when  he  is  given 
a  sight  of  the  game,  and  a  splendid  race  ensues. 


The    Cat    Tribe 

This  charming  and  accurate  description  shows  the  cheeta  at  home.  In  the  field  he  is 
quite  another  creature.  He  is  driven  as  near  as  possible  to  the  game,  and  then  unhooded 
and  given  a  sight  of  them.  Sir  Samuel  Baker  thus  describes  a  hunt  in  which  a  cheeta  was 
used:  "The  chase  began  after  the  right-hand  buck,  which  had  a  start  of  about  110  yards. 
It  was  a  magnificent  sight  to  see  the  extraordinary  speed  of  pursuer  and  pursued.  The 
buck  flew  over  the  level  surface,  followed  by  the  cheeta,  which  was  laying  out  at  full 
stretch,  with  its  long,  thick  tail  brandishing  in  the  air.  They  had  run  200  yards,  when  the 
keeper  gave  the  word,  and  away  we  went  as  fast  as  our  horses  could  carry  us.  The  horses 
could  go  over  this  clear  ground,  where  no  danger  of  a  fall  seemed  possible.  I  never  saw 
anything  to  equal  the  speed  of  the  buck  and  the  cheeta;  we  were  literally  nowhere,  although 
we  were  going  as  hard  as  horseflesh  could  carry  us ;  but  we  had  a  glorious  view.  The  cheeta 
was  gaining  in  the  course,  while  the  buck  was  exerting  every  muscle  for  life  or  death  in  its 
last  race.  Presently,  after  a  course  >of  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile,  the  buck  doubled  like  a 
hare,  and  the  cheeta  lost  ground  as  it  shot  ahead,  instead  of  turning  quickly,  being  only 
about  thirty  yards  in  rear  of  the  buck.  Recovering  itself,  it  turned  on  extra  steam,  and  the 
race  appeared  to  recommence  at  increased  speed.  The  cheeta  was  determined  to  win,  and 
at  this  moment  the  buck  made  another  double  in  the  hope  of  shaking  off  its  terrible  pursuer ; 
but  this  time  the  cheeta  ran  cunning,  and  was  aware  of  the  former  game.,  It  turned  as 
sharply  as  the  buck.  Gathering  itself  together  for  a  final  effort,  it  shot  forward  like  an  arrow, 
picked  up  the  distance  which  remained  between  them,  and  in  a  cloud  of  dust  we  could  for 
one  moment  distinguish  two  forms.  The  next  instant  the  buck  was  on  its  back,  and  the 
cheeta's  fangs  were  fixed  like  an  iron  vice  in  its  throat.  The  course  run  was  about  600  yards, 
and  it  was  worth  a  special  voyage  to  India  to  se«  that  hunt." 


Pkoto  l>y  Otlomar  Anschiitz] 


Berlin. 

A   CHEETA   OK   THE   LOOK-OUT. 
Cheetas  are  common  to  Africa  and  India.    By  the  native  prince  of  the  latter  country  they  are  much  used  for  taking  antelope  and  other  gama 


68 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


Photo  by  T.  Fall] 


[Baker  Street. 


WHITE  SHOET-HAIKED. 


Most  white  cats  are  not  albinoes — that  is  to  say,  they  have  ordinarily 
coloured  and  not  red  eyes. 


THE   DOMESTIC   CAT. 

BY    LOUIS   WAIN. 

OF  the  domestication  of  the  cat  we  know 
very  little,  but  it  is  recorded  that  a  tribe 
of  cats  was  trained  to  retrieve — i.e.  to  fetch 
and  carry  game.  In  our  own  time  I  have 
seen  many  cats  fetch  and  carry  corks  and 
newspapers,  and  on  one  occasion  pounce  upon 
a  small  roach  at  the  end  of  a  line  and  place 
it  at  its  owner's  feet.  Gamekeepers  whom  I 
have  known  agree  that,  for  cunning,  craftiness, 
and  tenacity  in  attaining  an  object,  the  semi- 
wild  cat  of  the  woods  shows  far  superior 
intelligence  to  the  rest  of  the  woodland 
denizens.  It  is  quite  a  usual  thing  to  hear 
of  farm  cats  entering  upon  a  snake-hunting 
expedition  with  the  greatest  glee,  and  showing 

remarkable  readiness  in  pitching  upon  their  quarry  and  pinning  it  down  until  secured. 
These  farm  cats  are  quite  a  race  by  themselves.  Of  decided  sporting  proclivities,  they  roam  the 
countryside  with  considerable  fierceness,  and  yet  revert  to  the  domesticity  of  the  farmhouse  fireside 
as  though  innocent  of  roving  instincts.  They  are  spasmodic  to  a  degree  in  their  mode  of  life, 
and  apparently  work  out  one  mood  before  entering  upon  another.  It  will  be  remembered  that 
this  spasmodic  tendency — the  true  feline  independence,  by-the-bye — is  and  has  been  characteristic 
of  the  cat  throughout  its  history,  and  any  one  who  has  tried  to  overcome  it  has  met  with  failure. 

Watch  your  own  cat,  and  you  will  see  that  he  will  change  his  sleeping-quarters 
periodically ;  and  if  he  can  find  a  newspaper  conveniently  placed,  he  will  prefer  it  to  lie  upon, 
before  anything  perhaps,  except  a  cane-bottomed  chair,  to  which  all  cats  are  very  partial.  If 
you  keep  a  number  of  cats,  as  I  do,  you  will  find  that  they  are  very  imitative,  and  what  one 
gets  in  the  habit  of  doing  they  will  all  do  in  time :  for  instance,  one  of  my  cats  took 
to  sitting  with  his  front  paws  inside  my  tall  hat  and  his  body  outside,  and  this  has 
become  a  catty  fashion  in  the  family,  whether  the  object  be  a  hat,  cap,  bonnet,  small 
basket,  box,  or  tin.  If  by  chance  one  of  the  cats  is  attacked  by  a  dog,  a  peculiar  cry  from 
the  aggrieved  animal  will  immediately  awaken  the  others 
out  of  their  lethargy  or  sleep,  and  bring  them  fiercely  to 
the  rescue.  They  are,  too,  particularly  kind  and  nice  to 
the  old  cat,  and  are  tolerant  only  of  strange  baby 
kittens  and  very  old  cats  in  the  garden  as  long  as 
they  do  not  interfere  with  the  "  catty " 
subject.  The  same  quality  obtains  in  Spain 
or  Portugal,  where  a  race  of  scaveng- 
ing cats  exists,  which  go  about  in 
droves  or  families,  and  are  equal 
to  climbing  straight  walls,  big 
trees,  chimneys,  and  mountain- 
sides. Long,  lanky,  and  thin, 
they  are  built  more  on  the  lines 
of  a  greyhound  than  the  ordinary 
cat,  and  are  more  easily  trained 
in  tricks  than  home  cats.  . 

The  TORTOISESHELL  has  long 
been  looked  upon  as  the  national 


Photo  l>y  T.  Fall] 


[Bilker  Street. 


LONG-HAIBED  WHITE. 

White  cats  with  blue  eyes  are  generally  deaf,  or  at  all  events  hard  of  hearing. 


Photo  by  Fratdli  Alinari,  Florence. 
MACKEREL-MARKED   TABBY. 

Tabbies  are  probably  the  best  known  and  the 
commonest  cats  in  England. 


Photo  ly  L.  Midland,  F.Z.S.,  Soi-th  Finchley. 
CAT  CARRYING  KITTEN. 

A  unique  photograph,  showing  the  way  in  which 
the  cat  carries  its  young. 


Photo  ly  E.  Landor,  Eiilimj. 
BLUE  LONG-HAIRED,   OR  PERSIAN. 

Persian  or  long-haired  cats  are  of  various 
colours  ;  this  is  one  of  the  least  common. 


Photo  'by  E.  Landor,  Eating. 
SMOKE  AND   BLUE  LONG-HAIRED. 
Two  pretty  and  valuable  Persian  kittens. 


By  permission  of  Lady  Alexander. 

ORANGE  TABBY. 
A  champion  winner  of  90  first  prizes. 


Photo  by  E.  Landor,  Baling. 

LONG-HAIRED   TABBY. 

A  pretty  pose. 


Photo  by  E.  Landor,  Ealing. 
SILVER  PERSIAN. 
A  handsome  specimen. 

r.n 


Photo  by  E.  Landor,  Ealing. 

SMOKE  LONG-HAIRED,   OR  PERSIAN. 

A  new  breed. 


70 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


SHOET-HAIRED    BLUE. 

This  champion   cat  belongs  to  Lady  Alexander,  by  whose 
kind  permission  it  is  here  reproduced. 


cat  of  Spain,  and  in  fact  that  country  is  overrun  with 
the  breed,  ranging  from  a  dense  black  and  brown  to 
lighter  shades  of  orange-brown  and  white.  The  pure 
tortoiseshell  might  be  called  a  black  and  tan,  with  no 
white,  streaked  like  a  tortoiseshell  comb  if  possible,  and 
with  wonderful  amber  eyes.  It  is  characteristic  of  their 
intelligence  that  they  will  invariably  find  their  way 
home,  and  will  even  bring  that  mysterious  instinct 
to  bear  which  guides  them  back  long  distances  to  the 
place  of  their  birth;  and,  with  regard  to  this  cat,  the 
stories  of  almost  impossible  journeys  made  are  not  one 
bit  exaggerated.  The  tom-cats  of  this  breed  are  very 
rare  in  England ;  I  myself  have  only  known  of  the 
existence  of  six  in  fifteen  years,  and  of  these  but  three 
are  recorded  in  the  catalogues  of  our  cat  shows. 

The  BLACK  CAT  has  many  of  the  characteristics 
of  the  tortoiseshell,  but  is  essentially  a  town  cat,  and 
is  wont  to  dream  his  life  away  in  shady  corners,  in 
underground  cellars,  in  theatres,  and  in  all  places  where  he  can,  in  fact,  retire  to  monastic 
quiet.  The  black  cat  of  St.  Clement  Danes  Church  was  one  of  the  remarkable  cats  of 
London.  It  was  his  wont  to  climb  on  to  the  top  of  the  organ-pipes  and  enjoy  an  occasional 
musical  concert  alone.  A  christening  or  a  wedding  was  his  pride ;  and  many  people  can 
vouch  for  a  lucky  wedding  who  had  the  good-fortune  to  be  patronised  by  the  black  cat  of 
St.  Clement  Danes,  which  walked  solemnly  down  the  aisle  of  the  church  in  front  of  the 
happy  couples. 

My  old  pet  Peter  was  a  black-and-white  cat,  and,  like  most  of  his  kind,  was  one  of  the 
most  remarkable  cats  for  intelligence  I  have  ever  known.  A  recital  of  his  accomplishments 
would,  however,  have  very  few  believers — a  fact  I  find  existing  in  regard  to  all  really 
intelligent  cats.  There  are  so  many  cats  of  an  opposite  character,  and  people  will  rarely  take  more 
than  a  momentary  trouble  to  win  the  finer  nature  of  an  animal  into  existence.  Suffice  it  to 
say,  that  Peter  would  lie  and  die,  sit  up  with  spectacles  on  his  nose  and  with  a  post-card 
between  his  paws — a  trick  I  have  taught  many  people's  cats  to  do.  He  would  also  mew  silent 
meows  when  bid,  and  wait  at  the  door  for  my  home-coming.  For  a  long  time,  too,  it  was 
customary  to  hear  weird  footfalls  at  night  outside  the  bedroom  doors,  and  visitors  to  the  house 
were  a  little  more  superstitious  as  to  their  cause  than  we  were  ourselves.  We  set  a  watch  upon 
the  supposed  ghost,  but  sudden  opening  of  the  doors  discovered  only  the  mystic  form  of  Peter 
sitting  purring  on  the  stairs.  He  was.  however,  ultimately  caught  in  the  act  of  lifting  the 

corner  of  the  door-rug  and  letting  it  fall  back 
in  its  place,  and  he  had  grown  quite  expert  in 
his  method  of  raising  and  dropping  it  at  regular 
intervals  until  he  heard  that  his  signals  had 
produced  the  required  effect,  and  the  door  was 
opened  to  admit  him. 

WHITE  CATS  I-  might  call  musical  cats, 
for  it  is  quite  characteristic  of  the  albinoes 
that  noises  rarely  startle  them  out  of  their 
simpering,  loving  moods.  The  scraping  of  a 
violin,  which  will  scare  an  ordinary  cat  out 
of  its  senses,  or  the  thumping  of  a  piano, 

photo  by  T.  Fail]  \jtakerstreet.  which  would   terrorise   even  strong-nerved   cats, 

SILVER  TABBY.  would    only    incite    a   white    cat   to   a    happier 

A  beautiful  variety  of  the  typical  British  cat.  mood.       Certainly  all  white   cats   are  somewhat 


The    Cat    Tribe 


Pkoto  by  E.  Landor]  [Enlmj. 

SHORT-HAIRED   TABBY. 

This  is  perhaps  the  most  famous  cat  now  living.     It  has  won  no  less  than  £00  prizes.     Lady 

Decies  is  its  owner. 


deaf,  or  lack  acute  quality  of 
senses  ;  but  this  failing  rather 
softens  the  feline  nature  than 
becomes  dominant  as  a  weak- 
ness. 

The  nearest  to  perfection 
perhaps,  and  yet  at  the  same 
time  extremely  soft  and  finely 
made,  is  the  BLUE  CAT,  rare 
in  England  as  an  English  cat, 
but  common  in  most  other 
countries,  and  called  in 
America  the  Maltese  Cat — for 
Cushion's  sake  probably,  since 
it  is  too  widely  distributed 
there  to  be  localised  as  of 
foreign  origin.  It  is  out 
in  the  mining  districts  and 
agricultural  quarters,  right 
away  from  the  beaten  tracks  of  humanity,  where  the  most  wonderful  breeds  of  cats  develop 
in  America ;  and  caravan  showmen  have  told  me  that  at  one  time  it  was  quite  a  business  for 
them  to  carry  cats  into  these  wildernesses,  and  sell  them  to  rough,  hardy  miners,  who  dealt 
out  death  to  each  other  without  hesitation  in  a  quarrel,  but  who  softened  to  the  appeal  of  an 
animal  which  reminded  them  of  homelier  times. 

One  man  told  me  that  upon  one  occasion  he  sold  eight  cats  at  an  isolated  mining  township 
in  Colorado,  and  some  six  days'  journey  farther  on  he  was  caught  up  by  a  man  on  horseback 
from  the  township,  who  had  ridden  hard  to  overtake  the  menagerie  caravan,  with  the  news 
that  one  of  the  cats  had  climbed  a  monster  pine-tree,  and  that  all  the  other  cats  had  followed 
in  his  wake ;  food  and  drink  had  been  placed  in  plenty  at  the  foot  of  the  tree,  but  that  the 
cats  had  been  starving,  frightened  out  of  their  senses,  for  three  days,  and  despite  all  attempts 
to  reach  them  they  had  only  climbed  higher  and  higher  out  of  reach  into  the  uppermost 

and  most  dangerous  branches  of  the  pine.  The  showman 
hastened  with  his  guide  across  country  to  the  town- 
ship, only  to  find  that  in  the  interval  one  bright 
specimen  of  a  man  belonging  to  the  village  had  sug- 
gested felling  the  tree,  and  so  rescuing  the  cats  from 
the  pangs  of  absolute  starvation,  should  they  survive 
the  ordeal.  A  dynamite  cartridge  had  been  used  to 
blast  the  roots  of  the  pine,  and  a  rope  attached  to 
its  trunk  had  done  the  rest  and  brought  the  monster 
tree  to  earth,  only,  however,  at  the  expense  of  all  the 
cats,  for  not  one  survived  the  tremendous  fall  and 
shaking.  A  sad  and  tearful  procession  followed  the 
remains  of  the  cats  to  their  hastily  dug  grave,  and 
thereafter  a  bull  mastiff  took  the  place  of  the  cats  in 
the  township,  an  animal  more  in  character  with  the 
lives  of  its  inhabitants. 

Analogous  to  this  case  of  the  travelling  menageries, 
we  have  the  great  variety  of  blues,  silvers,  and  whites 
which  are  characteristic  of  Russia.  There  is  a  vast 
tableland  of  many  thousands  of  miles  in  extent, 
intersected  by  caravan  routes  to  all  the  old  countries 


J'hoto  by  E.  Landor]  [Ealing. 

LONG-HAIRED   ORANGE. 


good  specimen  of  this  variety  is  always  large  and 
finely  furred. 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


[THi/iaic,  X.J3. 


MANX. 


These  tailless  cats  are  well  known  ;  they  were  formerly  called  "  Corn- 
wall cats."  Note  the  length  of  the  hind  legs,  which  is  one  of  the 
characteristics  of  this  variety  of  the  domestic  cat. 


SIAMESE. 

These  strikingly  coloured  cats  are  now  fairly  numerous  in  England, 
but  command  high  prices.  They  have  white  kittens,  which  subse. 
quently  become  coloured. 


of  the  ancients,  and  it  is  not  astonishing  to  hear  of  attempts  being  made  to  steal  the 
wonderful  cats  of  Persia,  China,  and  Northern  India,  as  well  as  those  of  the  many  dependent 
and  independent  tribes  which  bound  the  Russian  kingdom.  But  it  is  a  remarkable  fact  that 
none  but  the  blues  can  live  in  the  attentuated  atmosphere  of  the  higher  mountainous 
districts  through  which  they  are  taken  before  arriving  in  Russian  territory.  It  is  no 
uncommon  thing  to  find  a  wonderful  complexity  of  blue  cats  shading  to  silver  and  white 
in  most  Russian  villages,  or  blue  cats  of  remarkable  beauty,  but  with  a  dash  of  tabby- 
marking  running  through  their  coats.  Their  life,  too,  is  lived  at  the  two  extremes.  In 
the  short  Russian  summer  they  roam  the  woodlands,  pestered  by  a  hundred  poisonous  insects; 
in  the  winter  they  are  imprisoned  within  the  four  walls  of  a  snow-covered  cottage,  and  are 
bound  down  prisoners  to  domesticity  till  the  thaw  sets  in  again.  Many  of  the  beautiful  furs 
which  come  to  us  from  Russia  are  really  the  skins  of  these  cats,  the  preparation  of  which  for 
market  has  grown  into  a  large  and  thriving  industry.  The  country  about  Kronstadt,  in  the 
Southern  Carpathian  Mountains  of  Austria,  is  famous  for  its  finely  developed  animals;  and 
here,  too,  has  grown  up  a  colony  of  sable-coloured  cats,  said  to  be  of  Turkish  origin,  where  the 
pariahs  take  the  place  of  cats. 

The  TABBY  is  remarkable  to  us  in  that  it  is  characteristic  of  our  own  country,  and 
no  other  colour  seems  to  have  been  popular  until  our  own  times.  If  you  ask  any  one 
which  breed  of  cat  is  the  real  domestic  cat,  you  will  be  told  the  tabby,  probably  because 
it  is  so  well  known  to  all.  The  complexity  of  the  tabby  is  really  remarkable,  and 


BLUE  LONG-HAIRED,   OR  PERSIAN. 
This  cat  belonged  to  Queen  Victoria. 


SILVER  PERSIANS. 

Three  of  Mrs.  Champion's  celebrated  cats. 


The    Cat    Tribe 


73 


Photo  by  E.  Landor] 

LOXG-HAIRED   CHINCHILLA. 
Note  the  beautiful  "  fluffiness  "  of  this  cat's  fur. 


[Baling. 


for  shape  and  variety  of  colouring  it  has  no 
equal  in  any  other  tribe  of  cat.  It  has 
comprised  in  its  nature  all  the  really  great 
qualities  of  the  feline,  and  all  its  worst  attri- 
butes. You  can  truthfully  say  of  one  of  its 
specimens  that  it  attaches  itself  to  the  indi- 
vidual, while  of  another  in  the  same  litter  you 
will  get  an  element  of  wildness.  A  third  of  the 
same  parents  will  sober  down  to  the  house, 
but  take  only  a  passing  notice  of  people.  You 
can  teach  it  anything  if  it  is  tractable,  make 
it  follow  like  a  dog,  come  to  whistle,  but  it  will 
have  its  independence. 

The  SAND-COLOURED  CAT,  with  a  whole- 
coloured  coat  like  the  rabbit,  which  we  know 
as  the  ABYSSINIAN  or  BUNNY  CAT,  is  a  strong 
African  type.  On  the  Gold  Coast  it  comes 

down    from  the  inland   country  with  its  ears  all  bitten  and  torn  away  in  its  fights  with  rivals. 

It    has    been    acclimatised  in    England,  and  Devonshire    and    Cornwall  have   both  established   a 

new    and   distinct   tribe   out   of  its   parentage.      The    MANX    CAT   is   nearly    allied   to   it,    and 

a  hundred  years  ago  the  tailless  cat  was  called  the  Cornwall  Cat,  not  the  Manx. 

Siam  sends  us  a   regal  animal  in  the  SIAMESE  EOYAL  CAT  ;   it  has  a  brown  face,  legs,  and 

tail,  a  cream-coloured  body,  and  mauve  or   blue  eyes.      The   Siamese   take   great    care  of  their 

cats,  for  it  is  believed  that  the  souls  of  the  departed  are  transmitted  into  the  bodies  of  animals, 

and    the    cat   is   a   favourite  of  their   creed;    consequently  the    cats   are    highly   cultivated  and 

intelligent,  and  can  think  out  ways  and  means  to  attain  an  end. 

I  have  tried  for  years  to  trace  the  origin  of  the  LONG-HAIRED  or  PERSIAN  CATS,  but  I  cannot 

find  that  they  were  known  to  antiquity,  and  even   the  records  of  later  times  only  mention  the 

SHORT-HAIRED.       European  literature  does  not  give  us  an  insight  into  the  subject ;    and  unless 

Chinese  history  holds  some  hidden 

lights  in  its  records,  we  are  thrown 

back  upon  the  myths  of  Persia  to 

account  for  the  wonderful  modern 

distribution  of  the  long-haired  cat, 

which   is    gradually   breeding    out 

into  as  many  varieties  as  the  short- 
haired,  with   this   difference — that 

greater  care  and  trouble  are  taken 

over  the  long-haired,  and  they  will, 

as  a  breed,   probably  soon   surpass 

the  short-haired  for  '"ntelligence  and 

culture. 

One  variety  is  quite  new  and 

distinctive  —  the     SMOKE     LONG- 
HAIRED, whose  dark  brown  or  black 

surface-coat,     blown    aside,    shows 

an  under-coat   of   blue  and  silver, 

with  a  light  brown  frill  round  its 

neck.   All  the  other  long-haired  cats 

•AT.     it.          -U      A   -u     •      J    f  Photo  by  H.  Trevor  Jessop. 

can  pair  with  the  short-haired  for  THE  .^^  QR  (ITICKED>,  SHOET.HAIRED  CAT. 

Colouring  and  marking,  but    I    have  This  .g  one  of  the  rarest  ^  in  Ensland.    It  belongs  to  Miss  K.  Maud  Bennett  who  has 

not  yet  seen  a  BUNNY  LOMJ-II AIRED.  kindly  had  it  photographed  for  this  work. 

10 


CHAPTER     III. 

THE  FOSSA,    CIVETS,   AND   ICHNEUMONS. 


I 


Photo  by  A.  S.  liudland  tfc  Sons. 

FOSSA. 
The  only  feline  animal  of  Madagascar. 


THE   FOSSA. 

"N  the  FOSSA  Madagascar 
possesses  an  altogether 
peculiar  animal.  It  is  a 
very  slender,  active  creature, 
with  all  its  proportions  much 
elongated.  It  is  of  a  bright 
bay  uniform  colour,  with  thick 
fur,  and  has  sharp  retractile 
claws.  It  has  been  described 
as  the  natural  connecting-link 
between  the  Civets  and  the 
Cats,  anatomically  speaking. 
Thus  it  has  retractile  claws, 
but  does  not  walk  on  its 
toes,  like  cats,  but  on  the 
soles  of  its  feet  (the  hind  pair 
of  which  is  quite  naked),  like 
a  civet.  Very  few  have  been 

brought  to  England;   indeed,  the  first  time  that  one   was  exhibited  in  our  Zoological  Gardens 

was  only  ten  years  ago.      Formerly  stories  were   told   of  its   ferocity,   which   was   compared   to 

that   of  the   tiger.      These    tales  were   naturally  the   subject    of  ridicule.      The   fossa    usually 

attains  a   length   of  about  5  feet   from   snout  to   tail,  and   is   the   largest  of  the   carnivora    of 

Madagascar.     A  fine  young  specimen  lately  brought   to  London,  and  in  the  Zoological  Gardens 

at   the  time  of  writing,  is  now  probably  full 

grown.    It  is  about  the  same  length  and  height 

as  a  large  ocelot,  but  with  a  far  longer  tail,  and 

is  more  slenderly  built.     The  extreme  activity 

of  the  fossa  no  doubt  renders  it  a  very  formid- 
able foe  to  other  and  weaker  creatures.  It  has 

been  described   by  a   recent  writer  as  being 

entirely  nocturnal,  and  preying  mainly  on  the 

lemurs  and  birds  which  haunt  the  forests  of 

Madagascar.    The  animal  kept  at  the  Zoological. 

Gardens  has   become  fairly  tame.      It  is   fed 

mainly  on  chickens'  heads  and  other  refuse  from 

poulterers'  shops.     Apparently  it  has  no  voice 

of  any    kind.      It    neither    growls,    roars,  nor 

mews,  though,  when  irritated  or  frightened,  it 

gives  a  kind  of  hiss  like  a  cat. 


74 


Photo  by  L.  Medland,  F.Z.S.}  [North  Fincldey. 

LARGE   INDIAN  CIVET. 

Civets  are  nocturnal  in  their  habits.    That  shown  here  has  just  awakened 
in  broad  daylight. 


The    Fossa,    Civets,    and    Ichneumons 


THE  CIVETS  AND  GENETS. 


75 


TITE  CIVETS  are  the  first  marked  deviation  from  the  Cat  Family.  Their  bodies  are  elongated, 
their  legs  short,  their  claws  only  partially  retractile.  Some  of  them  have  glands  holding 
a  strong  scent,  much  esteemed  in  old  days  in  Europe,  when  "  The  Civet  Cat "  was  a  common 
inn-sign  even  in  England.  The  civets  are  generally  beautifully  marked  with  black  stripes  and 
bands  on  grey.  But  none  of  them  grow  to  any  large  size,  and  the  family  has  never  had  the 
importance  of  those  which  contain  the  large  carnivora,  like  the  true  cats  or  bears.  Many  of  the 
tribe  and  its  connections  are  domesticated.  Some  scholars  have  maintained  that  the  cat  of 
the  ancient  Greeks  was  one  of  them — the  common  genet.  The  fact  is  that  both  this  and 
the  domestic  cat  were  kept  by  the  ancients ;  and  the  genet  is  still  used  as  a  cat  by  the 
peasants  of  Greece  and  Southern  Italy. 

The  AFRICAN  CIVET  and  INDIAN  CIVET  are  large  species.  The  former  is  common  almost 
throughout  Africa.  Neither  of  them  seems  to  climb  trees,  but  they  find  abundance  of  food 
by  catching  small  ground-dwelling  animals  and  birds.  They  are  good  swimmers.  The  Indian 
civet  has  a  handsome  skin,  of  a  beautiful  grey  ground-colour,  with  black  collar  and  markings. 
It  is  from  these  civets  that  the  civet-scent  is  obtained.  They  are  kept  in  cages  for  this 
purpose,  and  the  secretion  is  scooped  from  the  glands  with  a  wooden  spoon.  They  produce 
three  or  four  kittens  in  May  or  June.  Several  other  species  very  little  differing  from  these 
are  known  as  the  MALABAR,  JAVAN,  and  BURMESE  CIVETS. 

The  KASSE  is  smaller,  has  no  erectile  crest,  and  its  geographical  distribution  extends  from 
Africa  to  the  Far  East.  It  is  commonly  kept  as  a  domestic  pet.  Like  all  the  civets,  it  will 
eat  fruit  and  vegetables. 

The  GENETS,  though  resembling  the  civets,  have  no  scent-pouch.  They  are  African 
creatures,  but  are  found  in  Italy,  Spain,  and  Greece,  and  in  Palestine,  and  even  in  the 
south  of  France.  Beautifully  spotted  or  striped,  they  are  even  longer  and  lower  than  the 
civet-cats,  and  steal  through  the  grass  like  weasels. 

The  COMMON  GENET  is  black  and  grey,  the  latter  being  the  ground-colour.  The  tail  is 
very  long,  the  length  being  about  15  inches,  while  that  of  the  body  and  head  is  only 
19  inches.  Small  rodents,  snakes,  eggs,  find  birds  are  its  principal  food.  It  is  kept  in 


Photo  by  A.  S.  Jiudland  &  Sons. 


AFEICAX    CIVET. 

This  is  one  of  the  largest  of  the  Civet  Tribe.     The  perfume  known  as  "  civet "  is  obtained  from  it. 


76 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


Photo  by  Scholastic  Photo.  Co.]  [Parson's  Green. 

AFRICAN  CIVET. 

This  photograph  shows  the  finely  marked  fur  of  the  species  and  the  front  view 
of  the  head. 


Southern  Europe  for  killing 
rats.  Several  other  very 
similar  forms  are  found  in 
Africa.  The  presence  of  such 
a  very  Oriental-looking  animal 
in  Europe  is  something  of  a 
surprise,  though  many  persons 
forget  that  our  South  European 
animals  are  very  like  those 
of  Africa  and  the  East.  The 
porcupine,  which  is  common 
in  Italy  and  Spain,  and  the 
lynx  and  Barbary  ape  are 
instances.  A  tame  genet 
kept  by  an  acquaintance  of 
the  writer  in  Italy  was  abso- 
lutely domesticated  like  a 
tame  mongoose.  It  had  very 
pretty  fur,  grey,  marbled  and 

spotted  with  black,  and  no  disagreeable  odour,  except  a  scent  of  musk.  It  was  a  most  active 
little  creature,  full  of  curiosity,  and  always  anxious  to  explore  not  only  every  room,  but  every 
cupboard  and  drawer  in  the  house.  Perhaps  this  was  due  to  its  keenness  in  hunting  mice, 
a  sport  of  which  it  never  tired.  It  did  not  play  with  the  mice  when  caught  as  a  cat  does, 
but  ate  them  at  once. 

The  LINSANGS,  an  allied  group,  are  met  with  in  the  East,  from  India  to  Borneo  and 
Java.  They  are  more  slender  than  the  genets,  and  more  arboreal.  Of  the  NEPALESE  LINSANG 
Hodgson  writes  :  "  This  animal  is  equally  at  home  on  trees  and  on  the  ground.  It  breeds 
and  dwells  in  the  hollows  of  decaying  trees.  It  is  not  gregarious,  and  preys  mainly  on  living 
animals."  A  tame  female  owned  by  him  is  stated  to  have  been  wonderfully  docile  and  tractable, 
very  sensitive  to  cold,  and  very  fond  of  being  petted.  There  is  an  allied  West  African  species. 
The  PALM-CIVETS  and  HEMIGALES  still  further  increase  this  numerous  tribe.  Slight 
differences  of  skull,  of  the  markings  on  the  tail,  which  may  only  have  rings  on  the  base, 
and  of  the  foot  and  tail,  are  the  naturalist's  guide  to  their  separation  from  the  other 
civets;  HARDWICKE'S  HEMIGALE  has  more  zebra-like 
markings.  Borneo,  Africa,  India,  and  the  Himalaya 
all  produce  these  active  little  carnivora;  but  the 
typical  palm-civets  are  Oriental.  They  are  sometimes 
known  as  Toddy-cats,  because  they  drink  the  toddy 
from  the  jars  fastened  to  catch  the  juice.  The  groves 
of  cocoanut-palm  are  their  favourite  haunts  ;  but  they 
will  make  a  home  in  holes  in  the  thatched  roofs  of 
houses,  and  even  in  the  midst  of  cities.  There  are 
many  species  in  the  group. 

The  BINTURONG  is  another  omnivorous,  tree- 
haunting  animal  allied  to  the  civets ;  but  it  has  a 
prehensile  tail,  which  few  other  mammals  of  the  Old 
World  possess.  It  is  a  blunt-nosed,  heavy  animal, 
sometimes  called  the  Bear-cat.  Very  little  is  known 
of  its  habits.  It  is  found  from  the  Eastern  Himalaya 

to    Java.  Photo  by  L.  Midland,  F.Z.S.]  [North  Flnddey. 

The  last  of  the  Civet  Family  is  BENNETT'S  CIVET,  SUMATRA*  CIVET. 

.1  •,.  ,,  ,1-1'  •         i          -,i  A  small  and  very  beautiful  member  of  the  Civet  Family.     It 

the   only    instance    01   a    cat-like  •  animal    with    partly  feeds  largely  on  fish. 


The    Fossa,   Civets,    and    Ichneumons 


77 


webbed  feet.  Found  in  the  Malay  Peninsula  and  in  Sumatra  and  Borneo,  it  is  very  rare,  but 
is  known  to  feed  on  fish  and  Crustacea,  and  to  be  semi-aquatic.  The  author  of  the  chapter 
on  the  civets  in  the  Naturalist's  Library  says,  "  It  may  be  likened  to  a  climbing  otter." 

THE   MONGOOSE   AND   ICHNEUMON   FAMILY. 

THESE  are  a  numerous  and  useful  race  of  small  mammals,  feeding  mainly  on  the  creatures 
most  annoying  to  man  within  tropical  countries.  Snakes,  the  eggs  of  the  crocodile,  large 
lizards,  rats,  mice,  and  other  creatures  known  generally  as  "vermin,"  are  their  favourite  food. 
It  must  be  added  that,  though  they  are  most  useful  in  destroying  these,  they  .also  kill  all 
kinds  of  birds,  and  that  their  introduction  into  some  of  the  West  India  Islands,  for  the  purpose 
of  killing  rats,  has  been  fatal  to  the  indigenous  bird  life. 

THE  INDIAN  MONGOOSE. 
This    universal    favourite    is    one    of  the    largest,  the    head    and    body    being    from    15    to 


Photo  ly  A.  S.  Rudland  &  Sons. 


GENET. 
The  genets  are  smaller  than  some  civets,  but  allied  to  them.     One  was  anciently  domesticated  like  a  cat. 

1 8  inches  long,  and  the  tail  14  inches.  The  fur  is  loose  and  long,  and  capable  of  being  erected. 
As  in  all  the  tribe,  the  tint  is  a  "pepper  and  salt,"  the  "pepper"  colour  being  sometimes 
blackish  and  sometimes  red,  but  a  speckled  appearance  characterises  the  whole  group.  This  is 
the  animal  supposed  to  be  immune  from  snake-bite.  It  is  possibly  so  to  some  extent,  for  it 
kills  and  eats  the  poisonous  snakes,  and  it  is  now  known  that  the  eating  of  snake-poison 
tends  to  give  the  same  protection  as  inoculation  does  against  certain  diseases.  But  it  is 
certain  that  in  most  cases  the  mongoose,  by  its  activity,  and  by  setting  up  the  hair  on  its 
body,  which  makes  the  snake  "  strike  short,"  saves  itself  from  being  bitten. 

Many  descriptions  of  the  encounters  between  these  brave  little  animals  and  the  cobra  have 
been  written.  Here  is  one  of  the  less  known  :  "  One  of  our  officers  had  a  tame  mongoose,  a 
charming  little  pet.  Whenever  we  could  procure  a  cobra — and  we  had  many  opportunities— 
we  used  to  turn  it  out  in  an  empty  storeroom,  which  had  a  window  at  some  height  from  the 
ground,  so  that  it  was  perfectly  safe  to  stand  there  and  look  on.  The  cobra,  when  dropped 
from  the  bag  or  basket,  would  wriggle  into  one  of  the  corners  of  the  room  and  there  coil 
himself  up.  The  mongoose  showed  the  greatest  excitement  on  being  brought  to  the  window, 


The    Living    Animals    ot    the    World 


Photo  l>y  L.  Medland,  F.Z.S.] 


N. 


[Sorth  Finchley. 


TWO-SPOTTED   PALM-CIVET. 

This  is  a  West  African  species,  which,  with  an  allied  form  from  East 
Africa,  represents  the  palm-civets  in  the  Dark  Continent. 


and  the  moment  he  was  let  loose  would 
eagerly  jump  down  into  the  room,  when  his 
behaviour  became  very  curious  and  interest- 
ing. He  would  instantly  see  where  the 
snake  was,  and  rounding  his  back,  and  making 
every  hair  on  his  body  stand  out  at  right 
angles,  which  made  his  body  appear  twice  as 
large  as  it  really  was,  he  would  approach 
the  cobra  on  tip-toe,  making  a  peculiar 
humming  noise.  The  snake,  in  the  meantime, 
would  show  signs  of  great  anxiety,  and  I 
fancy  of  fear,  erecting  his  head  and  hood 
ready  to  strike  when  his  enemy  came  near 
enough.  The  mongoose  kept  running  back- 
wards and  forwards  in  front  of  the  snake, 
gradually  getting  to  within  what  appeared 
to  us  to  be  striking  distance.  The  snake 

would  strike  at  him  repeatedly,  and  appeared  to  hit  him,  but  the  mongoose  continued  his  comic 
dance,  apparently  unconcerned.  Suddenly,  and  with  a  movement  so  rapid  that  the  eye  could 
not  follow  it,  he  would  pin-  the  cobra  by  the  back  of  the  head.  One  could  hear  the  sharp 
teeth  crunch  into  the  skull,  and,  when  all  was  over,  see  the  mongoose  eating  the  snake's  head 
and  part  of  his  body  with  great  gusto.  Our  little  favourite  killed  a  great  many  cobras,  and, 
so  far  as  I  could  see,  never  was  bitten." 

The  EGYPTIAN  MONGOOSE,  or  ICHNEUMON,  has  an  equally  great  reputation  for  eating  the 
eggs  of  the  crocodile ;  and  the  KAFFIR  MONGOOSE,  a  rather  larger  South  African  species,  is  kept 
as  a  domestic  animal  to  kill  rats,  mice,  and  snakes,  of  which,  like  the  Indian  kind,  it  is 
a  deadly  foe.  There  are  more  than  twenty  other  species,  most  of  much  the  same  appearance 
and  habits. 

The  smooth-nosed  mongoose  tribe  are  closely  allied  creatures  in  South  Africa,  mainly 
burrowing  animals,  feeding  both  on  flesh  and  fruit.  The  CUSIMANSES  of  Abyssinia  and  West 
Africa  are  also  allied  to  them.  Their  habits  are  identical  with  the  above. 

THE  MEERKATS,  OR  SURICATES. 

Most  people  who  have  read  Frank  Buckland's  Life  will  remember  the  suricate  which  was  his 
chief  pet  in  Albany  Street.  The 
SURICATES,  or  MEERKATS,  burrow  all 
over  the  South  African  veldt,  espe- 
cially in  the  sandy  parts,  where  they 
sit  up  outside  their  holes  like  prairie- 
dogs,  and  are  seen  by  day.  They 
are  sociable  animals,  and  make  most 
amusing  pets.  A  full-grown  one  is 
not  much  larger  than  a  hedgehog, 
but  more  slender.  It  barks  like  a 
prairie-dog,  and  has  many  other  noises 
of  pleasure  or  anger.  A  lady,  the 
owner  of  one,  writes  in  Country  Life  : 
"  It  gets  on  well  with  the  dogs  and 
cats,  especially  the  latter,  as  they  are 
more  friendly  to  her,  and  allow  her  to 

."  I'lwto  ly  L.  Medland,  F.Z.S.] 

sleep  by  their  side  and  on  the  top  of  MASKED  PALM.CIVET. 

them.     One  old  cat  brings  small  birds  A  whole-coloured  species  of  the  group. 


[Ewlh  Flncldey 


The    Fossa,    Civets,    and    Ichneumons 


79 


L_J 

Photo  by  Robert  1).  Carson}  [Philadelphia. 

BLNTUROXG. 

The  binturong  is  placed  with  the  civets.     It  has  a  prehensile 
tail  like  the  kinkajou  (see  page  127). 


to  her  (her  favourite  is  a  sparrow),  and  makes  her 
usual  cry,  and  Janet  runs  to  her  and  carries  off  the 
bird,  which  she  eats,  feathers  and  all,  in  a  very  few 
minutes,  if  she  is  hungry."  When  near  a  farm,  the 
meerkats  will  devour  eggs  and  young  chickens. 
They  are  also  said  to  eat  the  eggs  of  the  large 
leopard-tortoise.  The  commonest  is  the  SLENDKR- 
TAILED  MEERKAT.  It  is  found  all  over  South  Africa, 
and  is  very  common  in  the  Karroo.  It  eats  insects 
and  grubs  as  well  as  small  animals,  and  is  commonly 
kept  as  a  pet  throughout  the  Colony. 

WE  have  now  traced  the  long  line  of  the 
Carnivora  from  the  lordly  Lion,  the  slayer  of  man  and 
his  flocks  and  herds,  and  the  Tiger,  equally  formidable 
and  no  less  specially  developed  for  a  life  of  rapine  on 
a  great  scale,  to  creatures  as  small  and  insignificant 
as  the  Meerkat,  which  is  at  least  as  much  an  insect- 
feeder  as  a  devourer  of  flesh,  and  the  Ichneumons 
and  Civets.  The  highest  form  of  specialisation  in  the 
group  is  the  delicate  mechanism  by  which  the  chief 
weapons  of  offence,  the  claws,  are  enabled  to  keep 
their  razor  edge  by  being  drawn  up  into  sheaths  when 
the  animal  walks,  but  can  be  instantly  thrust  out  at  pleasure,  rigid  and  sharp  as  sword-blades. 
The  gradual  process  by  which  this  equipment  deteriorates  in  the  Civets  and  disappears  in  the 
Mongoose  should  be  noted.  There  are  many  other  carnivora,  but  none  so  formidable  as  those 
possessing  the  retractile  claws.  Thus  the  Bears,  though  often  larger  in  bulk  than  the  Lion, 
are  far  inferior  in  the  power  of  inflicting  violent  injury.  At  the  same  time  such  delicate 
mechanism  is  clearly  not  necessary  for  the  well-being  of  a  species.  The  members  of  the 
Weasel  Tribe  are  quite  as  well  able  to  take  care  of  themselves  as  the  small  cats,  though  they 
have  non-retractile  and  not  very  formidable  claws. 

Such  a  very  abnormal  animal  as  the  BINTURONG — of  which  we  are  able  to  give  an  excellent 
photograph — is  doubtless  rightly  assigned  to  the  place  in  which  modern  science  has  placed 
it.  But  it  will  be  found  that  there  are  several  very  anomalous  forms  quite  as  detached  from 
any  general  type  as  is  the  binturong. 
Nature  does  not  make  species  on  any 
strictly  graduated  scale.  Many  of 
these  nondescript  animals  are  so  un- 
like any  other  group  or  family  that 
they  seem  almost  freaks  of  nature. 
The  binturong  is  certainly  one  of 
these. 

The  next  group  with  which  we 
deal  is  that  of  the  Hyaenas.  In  these 
the  equipment  for  catching  living 
prey  is  very  weak.  Speed  and  pursuit 
are  not  their  m&ier,  but  the  eating 
of  dead  and  decaying  animal  matter, 
and  the  consumption  of  bones.  Hence 
the  jaws  and  teeth  are  highly  de- 
veloped, while  the  rest  of  the  body 
is  degenerate. 


Photo  by  L.  Medland,  F.Z.S.] 


[Sorth  Flncldey. 


MONGOOSE. 


The  Indian  mongoose  is  the  great  enemy  of  snakes.    Another  species  eats  the  eggs  of 
the  crocodile. 


8o 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


Photo  ly  A.  S.  liudland  d;  Sons. 

MEERKAT. 

A  small,  mainly  insectivorous  animal,  found  in    South  Africa  ;  all 
called  the  Suricate 


The  question  of  the  comparative  intelli- 
gence of  the  Apes  and  Monkeys,  and  the 
carnivorous  animals  subsequently  described  in 
these  pages,  is  an  interesting  one.  It  would 
seem  at  first  as  if  the  Cat  Tribe  and  their 
relations,  which  have  to  obtain  their  prey  by 
constant  hunting,  and  often  to  make  use  of 
considerable  reflection  and  thought  to  bring 
their  enterprises  against  other  animals  to  a 
successful  issue,  would  be  more  likely  to  develop 
intelligence  and  to  improve  in  brain-power  than 
the  great  Apes,  which  find  an  easy  living  in 
the  tropical  forests,  and  only  seek  fruits  and 
vegetables  for  their  food.  Yet  it  is  quite 
certain  that  this  is  not  the  case.  The  Git 
Tribe,  with  the  exception  of  the  domesticated 
cats,  does  not  show  high  intelligence.  Even 
the  latter  are  seldom  trained  to  obey  man, 
though  they  learn  to  accommodate  themselves 
to  his  ways  of  life.  There  is  no  evidence  that 
cats  have  any  sense  of  number,  or  that  any 
of  them  in  a  wild  state  make  any  effort  to 
provide  shelter  for  themselves  or  construct  a 
refuge  from  their  enemies,  though  the  Leopard 
will  make  use  of  a  cave  as  a  lair.  In  matters 
requiring  intelligence  and  co-operation,  such 
rodents  as  the  Beaver,  or  even  the  Squirrel, 
are  far  beyond  the  feline  carnivora  in  sagacity 
and  acquired  or  inherited  ingenuity.  Except 
the  Stoat,  which  sometimes  hunts  in  packs, 
no  species  of  the  carnivora  yet  dealt  with  in 
this  work  combines  to  hunt  its  prey,  or  for 
defence  against  enemies.  Each  for  itself  is 
the  rule,  and  even  among  the  less-specialised 
flesh-eating  animals  of  the  other  groups  it  is 
only  the  Dog  Tribe  which  seems  to  understand 
the  principles  of  association  for  a  common 
object. 


CHAPTER   IV. 

THE  HYENAS  AND  AARD-WOLF. 

IF   every  animal  has  its  place  in  nature,  we  must  suppose   that   the  hyaena's   business   is  to 
clear    up   the   bones   and    such   parts    of    the    animal    dead    as    the    vultures    and   other 
natural  "  undertakers  "  cannot  devour.     Hyaenas  have  very  strong  jaws,  capable  of  crushing 
almost  any  bone.     In   prehistoric   times  they  were  common  in  England,  and  lived  in  the  caves 
of  Derbyshire  and  Devon.      In  these  caves  many  bones  were   found   quite  smashed  up,  as  if  by 
some  very  large  wild  animal.      It  was  supposed  that  this   was   done   by  bears — Dean   Buckland 
said  "  by  hyaenas."     He  procured  a  hyaena,  kept   it   at  his   house,    and   fed   it  on   bones.      Th*» 
smashed  fragments  he  laid  on  the  table  at  a  scientific  lecture  beside  the  fragments  from  the 
caverns.     The  resemblance  was  identical,  and  the  Dean  triumphed. 


The    Hyaenas    and   Aard-wolf 


£l 


Photo  by  A.  S.  liudland  <L-  Sons. 

SPOTTED   HY^INA. 

The  largest  of  the  carrion-feeding  animals.     A    South  African 
species. 


The  hyaenas  are  carnivorous  animals,  with  the 
front  limbs  longer  than  the  hind.  The  tail  is 
short,  the  colour  spotted  or  brindled,  the  teeth 
and  jaws  of  great  strength. 

The  BROWN  HYAENA,  or  STRAND-WOLF,  is  an 
African  species,  with  very  long,  coarse  hair,  reaching 
a  length  of  10  inches  on  the  back.  It  is  not 
found  north  of  the  Zambesi ;  and  it  is  nocturnal, 
and  fond  of  wandering  along  the  shore,  where 
it  picks  up  crabs  and  dead  fish.  Young  cattle, 
sheep,  and  lambs  are  also  killed  by  it,  and  offal 
of  all  kinds  devoured. 

The  SPOTTED  HYAENA  is  a  large  and  massive' 
animal,  the  head  and  body  being  4  feet  6  inches 
long  without  the  tail.  It  is  found  all  over  Africa 
from  Abyssinia  and  Senegal  southwards.  A  few 
are  left  in  Natal.  It  is  believed  to  be  the  same 
as  the  cave-hyaena  of  Europe.  By  day  it  lives 
much  in  the  holes  of  the  aard-vark  (ant-bear) ;  by 
night  it  goes  out,  sometimes  in  small  bands,  to 
seek  food.  It  has  a  loud  and  mournful  howl, 
beginning  low  and  ending  high.  It  also  utters  a 

horrible   maniacal    laugh   when  excited,   which    gives    it  the    name  of   Laughing-hyaena.       "Its 

appetite,"  says    Mr.  W.  L.    Sclater    in    his    "  South  African    Mammals,"    "  is    boundless.      It    is 

entirely    carnivorous,    but    seems   to    prefer    putrid    and    decaying    matter,    and   never   kills   an 

animal  unless  driven   to   do  so   by  hunger.      Sheep  and  donkeys  are  generally  attacked  at  the 

belly,  and  the  bowels  torn  out  by  its  sharp  teeth.     Horses   are  also  frequent  objects  of  attack ; 

but  in    this    case   shackling   is   useful,  as  the  horse,  unable  to  escape,  faces   the    hyaena,  which 

instantly  bolts.     It  is  an  excellent  scavenger,  and  it  has  been  known  to  kill  and  carry  off  young 

•children,    though    the   least   attempt   at   pursuit   will    cause    it   to    drop    them.      Many    stories 

are  told,  too,  of  its  attacking  sleeping  natives ;    in    this    case   it    invariably  goes  for   the  man's 

face.     Drummond  states  that 

he  has  seen  many  men  who 

had     been    thus     mutilated, 

•wanting    noses,    or   with   the 

whole   mouth    and    lips  torn 

away.     This  is  confirmed  by 

other  authors."       Drummond 

gives   an    instance    of   seven 

•cows   being   mortally  injured 

in    a    single    night    by    two 

hyaenas,  which  attacked  them 

and      bit     off     the      udders. 

Poisoned    meat    is    the    only 

means    to    get    rid    of    this 

abominable  animal. 

Sir  Samuel  Baker  says: 

•"  I  can  safely  assert  that  the 

bone-cracking   power    of  this 

animal    is    extraordinary.      I 

•cannot  say  that  it  exceeds  the 

lion  or  tiger  in  the  strength 


Photo  by  A.  S.  Mudland  <fr  Sons. 


The  jaws  of  the  hysena  are  specially  made  for  cracking  bones.     They  will  smash  the  thigh-bona 

of  a  buffalo. 

11 


82 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


Plioto  ly  L.  MvUand,  F.Z.S.'] 


[North  Finchley. 


STRIPED 

This  is  the  hysena  of  Northern  Africa,  Palestine,  and  India, 


of  its  jaws;  but  they  will 
leave  bones  unbroken  which 
a  hyaena  will  crack  in  halves. 
Its  powers  of  digestion  are 
unlimited.  It  will  swallow 
and  digest  a  knuckle-bone 
without  giving  it  a  crunch, 
and  will  crack  the  thigh-bone 
of  a  buffalo  to  obtain  the 
marrow,  and  swallow  either 
end  immediately  after.  .  .  . 
[  remember  that  once  a 
hysena,  came  into  our  tent  at 
night.  But  this  was  merely 
a  friendly  reconnaissance,  to 
see  if  any  delicacy,  such  as 
our  shoes,  or  a  saddle,  or 
anything  that  smelt  of  leather, 
were  lying  about.  It  was 
bright  moonlight,  and  the  air 
was  calm.  There  was  nothing 
to  disturb  the  stillness.  I 

was  awakened  from  sleep  by  a  light  touch  on  my  sleeve,  and  my  attention  was  directed  by 
my  wife  to  some  object  that  had  just  quitted  our  tent.  I  took  my  rifle  from  beneath  the 
mat  on  which  I  lay,  and,  after  waiting  for  a  few  minutes  sitting  up  in  bed,  saw  a  large 
form  standing  in  the  doorway  preparatory  to  entering.  Presently  it  walked  in  cautiously,  and 
immediately  fell  dead,  with  a  bullet  between  its  eyes.  It  proved  to  be  a  very  large  hyaena, 
an  old  and  experienced  depredator,  as  it  bore  countless  scars  of  encounters  with  other  strong 
biters  of  its  race." 

The  STRIPED  HYAENA  is  found  in  India  as  well  as  in  Africa.  In  portions  of  Abyssinia  these 
animals  are  so  numerous  that  on  the  Nile  tributaries  Sir  Samuel  Baker  used  to  hear  them 
cracking  the  bones  after  supper  every 
night  just  as  they  had  been  thrown 
by  the  Arabs  within  a  few  feet  of  the 
deserted  table.  In  this  way  they  are 
useful  scavengers. 

THE  AARD-WOLF. 

This  small  African  hyaena-like 
creature  stands  in  a  family  by  itself. 
The  animal  is  like  a  small  striped 
hyaena,  with  a  pointed  muzzle,  longer 
ears,  and  a  kind  of  mane.  It  is 
common  all  through  South  and  East 
Africa,  where  it  lives  on  carrion,  white 
ants,  and  lambs  and  kids.  It  has  not 
the  strong  jaws  and  teeth  of  the  dog  or 
hyaena  family.  The  colonists  commonly 
hunt  and  kill  it  with  fox-terriers. 


Photo  by  A.  S.  Rudland  <i 


AARD-WOLF. 


The  aard-wolf  stands  in  a  family  by  itself.     It  is  allied  to  the  hyaenas,  but  is  a  faj 
feebler  animal. 


I'holo  ly  A'ao  York  Zoological  Society. 

rOTJNG   GREY  WOLF. 

The  grey  wolf  of  North  America,  which  once  preyed  mainly  on  young  bison  calves,  is  now  a  formidable  enemy  to  tbe  increasing  flocks  of  slieep  and 

herds  of  cattle  in  the  north  and  west. 
83 


CHAPTER   V. 


THE  DOG  FAMILY. 

rTIHE  tribe  now  treated  is  called  the  Dog  Family,  and5 
j        rightly    so,    for    our    domestic    dogs    are    included 
in   the    group,  which    comprises  the  "Wolves,  Dogs, 
Jackals,  Wild  Dogs,  and  Foxes.     Their  general  characters 
are  too  familiar  to  need  description,  but  it  should  be  noted 
that  the  foxes  differ  from  the  dogs  in  having  contracting 
pupils  to  the  eye  (which  in  bright  sun  closes  like  a  cat's 
to  a  mere  slit)  and  some  power  of  climbing.     The  origin 
of  the  domestic  dog  is  still  unsettled. 

THE  WOLF. 

This  great  enemy  of  man  and  his  dependants — the 
creature  against  the  ravages  of  which  almost  all  the 
early  races  of  Europe  had  to  combine,  either  in  tribes, 
villages,  or  principalities,  to  protect  their  children,  them- 
selves, and  their  cattle — was  formerly  found  all  over  the 
northern  hemisphere,  both  in  the  Old  and  New  Worlds. 
In  India  it  is  rather  smaller,  but  equally  fierce  and 
cunning,  though,  as  there  are  no  long  winters,  it  does 
not  gather  in  packs.  It  is  still  so  common  in  parts  of 
the  Eocky  Mountains  that  the  cattle  and  sheep  of  the 
ranch-holders  and  wild  game  of  the  National  Yellow- 
stone Park  suffer  severely.  In  Switzerland  the  ancient 

organisations  of  wolf  clubs  in  the  cantons  are  still  maintained.  In  Brittany  the  Grand 
Louvetier  is  a  government  official.  Every  very  hard  winter  wolves  from  the  Carpathians  and 
Russia  move  across  the  frozen  rivers  of  Europe  even  to  the  forests  of  the  Ardennes  and  of 
Fontainebleau.  In  Norway  they  ravage  the  reindeer  herds  of  the  Lapps.  Only  a  few  years 
ago  an  artist,  his  wife,  and  servant  were  all  attacked  on  their  way  to  Budapest,  in  Hungary, 
and  the  man  and  his  wife  killed.  The  last  British  wolf  was  killed  in  1680  by  Cameron  of 
Lochiel.  Wolves  are  common  in  Palestine,  Persia,  and  India. 

Without  going  back  over  the  well-known  history  of  the  species,  we  will  give  some  anecdotes 
of  the  less  commonly  known  exploits  of  these  fierce  and  dangerous  brutes.  Mr.  Kipling's 
"  Jungle  Book  "  has  given  us  an  "  heroic "  picture  of  the  life  of  the  Indian  wolves.  There  is 
a  great  deal  of  truth  in  it.  Even  the  child-stealing  by  wolves  is  very  probably  a  fact,  for  native 
opinion  is  unanimous  in  crediting  it.  Babies  laid  down  by  their  mothers  when  working  in  the 
fields  are  constantly  carried  off  and  devoured  by  them,  and  stories  of  their  being  spared  and 
suckled  by  the  she-wolves  are  very  numerous. 

Indian  wolves  hunt  in  combination,  without  assembling  in  large  packs.  The  following  is  a 
remarkable  instance,  recorded  by  General  Douglas  Hamilton  :  "  When  returning  with  a  friend 
from  a  trip  to  the  mountain  caves  of  Ellora,  we  saw  a  herd  of  antelope  near  a  range  of  low 
rocky  hills;  and  as  there  was  a  dry  nullah,  or  watercourse,  we  decided  on  having  a  stalk. 
While  creeping  up  the  nullah,  we  noticed  two  animals  coming  across  the  plain  on  our  left. 
We  took  them  at  first  for  leopards,  but  then  saw  that  they  were  wolves.  When  they  were 

84 


Photo  by  Scholastic  Photo.  Co.,  Parson's  Green. 
A   GROWING  CUB. 

Note  how  the  wolf  cub  develops  the  long  pasterns, 
large  feet,  and  long  jaw  before  its  body  grows  in  pro- 
portion. 


The    Dog    Family 


85 


Photo  by  Scholastic  Photo.  Co.\ 


[Parson's  Green. 


WOLF  CUBS. 


These  are  evidently  the  foster-brothers  of  Romulus  and  Remus. 


about  500  yards  from  the 
antelope,  they  lay  down 
quietly.  After  about  ten 
minutes  or  so,  the  smaller 
of  the  two  got  up  and  trotted 
off  to  the  rocky  hills,  and 
suddenly  appeared  on  the 
ridge,  running  backwards  and 
forwards  like  a  Scotch  collie 
dog.  The  larger  wolf,  as  soon 
as  he  saw  that  the  antelope 
were  fully  occupied  in  watch- 
ing his  companion,  got  up 
and  came  as  hard  as  he  could 
gallop  to  the  nullah.  Un- 
fortunately he  saw  us  and 
bolted ;  and  his  companion, 
seeing  there  was  something 
wrong,  did  the  same.  Now, 
it  is  evident  that  these 
wolves  had  regularly  planned 
this  attack.  One  was  to 

occupy  the  attention  of  the  antelope,  the  other  to  steal  up  the  watercourse  and  dash  into  the 
midst  of  them.  At  another  time  a  brother-officer  of  mine  was  stalking  a  herd  of  antelope 
which  were  feeding  down  a  grassy  valley,  when  suddenly  a  wolf  got  up  before  him,  and  then 
another  and  then  another,  until  fourteen  wolves  rose  out  of  the  grass.  They  were  extended 
right  across  the  valley  in  the  shape  of  a  fishing-net  or  jelly-bag,  so  that  as  soon  as  the  herd 
had  got  well  into  the  jelly-bag  they  would  have  rushed  on  the  antelope,  and  some  must  have 
fallen  victims  to  their  attack."  They  have  been  known  to  join  in  the  chase  of  antelopes  by 
dogs.  Captain  Jackson,  of  the  Nizam's  service,  let  his  dogs  course  an  antelope  fawn.  A 
wolf  jumped  up,  joined  the  dogs,  and  all  three  seized  the  fawn  together.  He  then  came 
up,  whipped  off  the  dogs  and  the  wolf,  and  secured  the  fawn,  which  did  not  seem  hurt. 
The  wolf  immediately  sat  down  and  began  to  howl  at  the  loss  of  his  prey,  and  in  a  few 
moments  made  a  dash  at  the  officer,  but  when  within  a  few  yards  thought  better  of  it,  and 
recommenced  howling.  This  brought  another  wolf  to  his  assistance.  Both  howled  and  looked 
very  savage,  and  seemed  inclined  to  make  another  dash  at  the  antelope.  But  the  horse- 
keepers  came  up,  and  the  wolves  retired. 

The  Indian  wolf,  if  a  male,  stands  about  26  inches  high  at  the  shoulder.  The  length  of 
head  and  body  is  37  inches;  tail,  17  inches. 

The  same  species  practically  haunts  the  whole  of  the  world  north  of  the  Himalaya,  It  varies 
in  colour  from  almost  black  to  nearly  pure  white.  In  the  Hudson  Bay  fur-sales  every  variety 
of  colour  between  these  may  be  seen,  but  most  are  of  a  tawny  brindle.  The  male  grows  to  a 
very  great  size.  One  of  the  largest  ever  seen  in  Europe  was  for  years  at  the  London  Zoo. 
It  stood  6  feet  high  when  on  its  hind  legs,  and  its  immense  head  and  jaws  seemed  to  occupy 
one-third  of  the  space  from  nose  to  tail.  Horses  are  the  main  prey  of  the  NORTHERN  WOLF. 
It  will  kill  any  living  creature,  but  horseflesh  is  irresistible.  It  either  attacks  by  seizing  the 
flank  and  throwing  the  animal,  or  bites  the  hocks.  The  biting  power  is  immense.  It  will  tear 
a  solid  mass  of  flesh  at  one  grip  from  the  buttock  of  a  cow  or  horse.  In  the  early  days  of  the 
United  States,  when  Audubon  was  making  his  first  trip  up  the  head-waters  of  the  Missouri,  flesh 
of  all  kinds  was  astonishingly  abundant  on  the  prairies.  Buffalo  swarmed,  and  the  Indians 
had  any  quantity  of  buffalo-meat  for  the  killing.  Wolves  of  very  large  size  used  to  haunt 
the  forts  and  villages,  and  were  almost  tome,  being  well  fed  and  comfortable.  Far  different 


86 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


Photo  by  L.  MeMand,  F.Z.S.] 

WHITE  WOLF. 


[JXorth  Finchley. 


White  wolves  are  quite  common  in  North   America.     Recently  two 
white  wolves  were  brought  to  the  Zoological  Gardens  from  Ilussia. 


was  the  case  even  near  St.  Petersburg  at  the 
same  period.  A  traveller  in  1840  was  chased 
by  a  pack  of  wolves  so  closely  that  when  the 
sledge-horses  reached  the  pos<>house  and  rushed 
into  the  stable,  the  doors  of  which  were  open, 
seven  of  the  wolves  rushed  in  after  them. 
The  driver  and  traveller  leaped  from  the  sledge 
just  as  it  reached  the  building,  and  horses  and 
wolves  rushed  past  them  into  it.  The  men 
then  ran  up  and  closed  the  doors.  Having 
obtained  guns,  they  opened  the  roof,  expecting 
to  see  that  the  horses  had  been  killed.  Instead 
all  seven  wolves  were  slinking  about  beside 
the  terrified  horses.  All  were  killed  without 
resistance. 

In  Siberia  and  Russia  the  wolves  in  winter 
are  literally  starving.  Gathering  in  packs,  they  haunt  the  roads,  and  chase  the  sledges  with 
their  unfaltering  gallop.  Seldom  in  these  days  does  a  human  life  fall  victim ;  but  in  very 
hard  winters  sledge-horses  are  often  killed,  and  now  and  then  a  peasant.  Rabies  is  very 
common  among  wolves.  They  then  enter  the  villages,  biting  and  snapping  at  every  one. 
Numbers  of  patients  are  sent  yearly  from  Russia  and  Hungary  to  the  Pasteur  Institutes,  after 
being  bitten  by  rabid  wolves.  In  Livonia,  in  1823,  it  was  stated  that  the  following  animals 
had  been  killed  by  wolves  :  15,182  sheep,  1,807  oxen,  1,841  horses,  3,270  goats,  4,190  pigs, 
703  dogs,  and  numbers  of  geese  and  fowls.  They  followed  the  Grand  Army  from  Russia  to 
Germany  in  1812,  and  restocked  the  forests  of  Europe  with  particularly  savage  wolves.  It  is 
said  that  in  the  retreat  freni  Moscow  twenty-four  French  soldiers,  with  their  arms  in  their 
hands,  were  attacked,  killed,  and  eaten  by  a  pack  of  wolves. 

From  very  early  times  special  breeds  of  dogs  have  been  trained  to  guard  sheep  against 
the  attacks  of  wolves.  Some  of  these  were  intended  to  defend  the  flock  on  the  spot,  others 
to  run  down  the  wolves  in  the  open.  The  former  are  naturally  bred  to  be  very  large  and 
heavy ;  the  latter,  though  they  must  be  strong,  are  light  and  speedy.  Of  the  dogs  which 
guard  the  flocks  several  races  still  survive.  Among  the  most  celebrated  are  those  of  Albania 
and  the  mountainous  parts  of  Turkey,  and  the  wolf-dogs  of  Tibet,  generally  called  Tibetan  Blood- 
hounds. The  Tartar  shepherds  on  the  steppes  near  the  Caucasus  also  keep  a  very  large  and 
ferocious  breed  of  dog.  All  these  are  of  the  mastiff  type,  but  have  long,  thick  hair.  When 
the  shepherds  of  Albania  or  Mount  Rhodope  are  driving  their  flocks  along  the  mountains  to 
the  summer  pastures,  they  sometimes  travel  a  distance  of  200  miles.  During  this  march  the 

dogs  act  as  flankers  and  scouts  by  day  and 
night,  and  do  battle  with  the  wolves,  which 
know  quite  well  the  routes  along  which  the 
sheep  usually  pass,  and  are  on  the  look-out  to 
pick  up  stragglers  or  raid  the  flock.  The 
Spanish  shepherds  employ  a  large  white 
shaggy  breed  of  dog  as  guards  against  wolves. 
These  dogs  both  lead  the  sheep  and  bring  up 
the  rear  in  the  annual  migration  of  the  flocks 
to  and  from  the  summer  pastures.  In  the  west 
of  America,  now  that  sheep-ranching  on  a  large 
scale  has  been  introduced,  wolf-dogs  are  bred  to 

Photo  iy  scholastic  Photo.  Co.]  [Parson's  Green.  live  entirely  with  the  sheep.     They  are  suckled 

PKAIRIE-WOLF,  OR  COYOTE.  when  puppies  by  the  ewes  instead  of  by  their  own 

This  is  the  small,  grey,  thickly  furred  species  found  on  the  prairies.  mothers,  and  become  as  it  Were  a  part  of  the  flock. 


The    Dog    Family 

Colonel  Theodore  Roosevelt  gives  an  interesting  account  of  wolf-coursing  in  Russia,  in  an 
article  contributed  to  "  The  Encyclopaedia  of  Sport "  (Lawrence  &  Bullen).  "  In  Russia  the  sport 
is  a  science,"  he  writes.  "The  princes  and  great  landowners  who  take  part  in  it  have  their 
hunting-equipages  equipped  perfectly  to  the  smallest  detail.  Not  only  do  they  follow  wolves 
in  the  open,  but  they  capture  them  and  let  them  out  before  dogs,  like  hares  in  a  closed 
coursing-meeting.  The  huntsman  follows  his  hounds  on  horseback.  (These  hounds  are  the 
Borzoi,  white  giant  greyhounds,  now  often  seen  in  England.)  Those  in  Russia  show  signs  oi 
reversion  to  the  type  of  the  Irish  wolf-hound,  dogs  weighing  something  like  100  Ibs.,  of 
remarkable  power,  and  of  reckless  and  savage  temper.  Now  three  or  four  dogs  are  run  together. 
They  are  not  expected  to  kill  the  wolf,  but  merely  to  hold  him.  .  .  .  The  Borzois  can  readily 


Photo  by  Ottomar  Anschutz]  [Sa-l<.i. 

"THE  WOLF  WITH  PRIVY  PAW." 

The  photograph  shows  admirably  the  slinking  gait  and  long  stride  of  the  wolf. 

overtake  and  master  partly  grown  wolves,  but  a  full-grown  dog-wolf,  in  good  trim,  will  usually 
gallop  away  from  them." 

A  number  of  these  Borzoi  dogs  have  been  imported  into  America,  and  are  used  to  course 
wolves  in  the  Western  States.  But  there  professional  wolf-hunters  are  employed  to  kill  off  the 
creatures  near  the  ranches.  One  such  hunter  lives  near  Colonel  Roosevelt's  ranche  on  the 
Little  Missouri.  His  pack  of  large  dogs  will  tear  in  pieces  the  biggest  wolf  without  aid  from 
the  hunter.  Of  his  own  efforts  in  wolf-coursing  he  writes :  "  We  generally  started  for  the 
hunting-ground  very  early,  riding  across  the  open  country  in  a  widely  spread  line  of  dogs 
and  men.  If  we  put  up  a  wolf,  we  simply  went  at  him  as  hard  as  we  knew  how.  Young 
wolves,  or  those  which  had  not  attained  their  full  strength,  were  readily  overtaken,  and  the 
pack  would  handle  a  she-wolf  quite  readily.  A  big  dog-wolf,  or  even  a  full-grown  and  powerful 
she-wolf,  offered  an  altogether  different  problem.  Frequently  we  came  upon  one  after  it  had 


88 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


Photo  ly  J.  W.  Mclellan] 


RUSSIAN  WOLF. 


This  is  a.  most  characteristic   photograph  of   one  of  the  so-called  "greyhound  wolves"  of  the 

Bussian  forests. 


gorged  itself  on  a  colt  or  a 
calf.  Under  such  conditions, 
if  the  dogs  had  a  good  start, 
they  ran  into  the  wolf  and 
held  him.  .  .  .  Packs  com- 
posed of  nothing  but  specially 
bred  and  trained  greyhounds 
of  great  size  and  power  made 
a  better  showing.  Under 
favourable  circumstances  three 
or  four  of  these  dogs  readily 
overtook  and  killed  the 
largest  wolf.  .  .  .  Their  dash- 
ing courage  and  ferocious 
fighting  capacity  were  mar- 
vellous, and  in  this  respect  I 
was  never  able  to  see  much 
difference  between  the  smooth 
and  rough — the  Scotch  deer- 
hound  or  the  greyhound 
type." 

Wolf  cubs  are  born  in 
April  or  May.  The  litter  is 
from  four  to  nine.  There  was 
one  of  six  a  few  years  ago  at 

the  Zoological  Gardens  at  the  Hague,  pretty  little  creatures  like  collie  puppies,  but  quarrel- 
some and  rough  even  in  their  play.  When  born,  they  were  covered  with  reddish-white  down ; 
later  the  coat  became  woolly  and  dark. 

The  European  wolf's  method  of  hunting  when  in  chase  of  deer  is  by  steady  pursuit.  Its 
speed  is  such  and  its  endurance  so  great  that  it  can  overtake  any  animal.  But  there  is  no 
doubt  that  the  favourite  food  of  the  wolf  is  mutton,  which  it  can  always  obtain  without  risk 
on  the  wild  mountains  of  the  Near  East,  if  once  the  guardian  dogs  are  avoided.  M.  Tschudi, 
the  naturalist  of  the  Alps,  gives  a  curious  account  of  the  assemblage  of  wolves  in  Switzerland 
in  1799.  They  had,  as  is  mentioned  above,  followed  the  armies  from  Eussia.  Having  tasted 
human  flesh,  they  preferred  it  to  all  other,  and  even  dug  up  the  corpses.  The  Austrian, 
French,  and  Russian  troops  penetrated  in  1799  into  the  highest  mountain  valleys  of  Switzerland, 
and  fought  sanguinary  battles  there.  Hundreds  of  corpses  were  left  on  the  mountains  and  in 
the  forests,  which  acted  as  bait  to  the  wolves,  which  were  not  destroyed  for  some  years. 

Wolves  will  interbreed  with  dogs  readily,  which  the  red  fox  will  not.  The  progeny  do 
not  bark,  but  howl.  The  Eskimo  cross  their  dogs  with  wolves  to  give  them  strength. 

THE  COYOTE,  OR  PKAIRIE-WOLF. 

Besides  the  large  grey  wolf,  a  smaller  and  less  formidable  animal  is  common  on  the 
prairies  and  mountains  of  the  northern  half  of  the  continent  of  America.  This  is  the  COYOTE. 
It  takes  the  place  of  the  hyaena  as  a  scavenger,  but  has  some  of  the  habits  of  the  fox.  It 
catches  birds  and  buck-rabbits,  and  feeds  on  insects,  as  well  as  small  rodents  like  prairie-dogs 
and  mice.  Its  melancholy  howls  make  night  hideous  on  the  northern  prairies,  and  it  is  the 
steady  foe  of  all  young  creatures,  such  as  the  fawns  of  prong-horned  antelope  and  deer.  Its 
skin,  like  that  of  most  northern  carnivora,  is  thick  and  valuable  for  fur  wraps.  The  coyotes 
assemble  in  packs  like  jackals. 

In  the  National  Park  in  the  Yellowstone  Valley  grey  wolves  and  coyotes  are  the  only 
animals  which  it  is  absolutely  necessary  to  destroy.  As  the  deer  and  antelope  and  other  game 


The    Dog    Family 

increased  under  State  protection,  the  wolves  and  coyotes  drew  towards  a  quarter  where  there 
were  no  hunters  and  a  good  supply  of  food.  It  was  soon  found  that  the  increase  of  the 
game  was  checked.  The  coyotes  used  to  watch  the  hinds  when  about  to  drop  their  calves, 
and  usually  succeeded  in  killing  them.  The  large  grey  wolves  killed  the  hinds  themselves, 
and  generally  made  life  most  unpleasant  for  the  dwellers  in  this  paradise.  Orders  were  issued 
to  kill  off  all  the  wrolves  by  any  means.  Poison  was  found  to  be  the  best  remedy ;  but  in 
the  winter,  when  all  the  game  descended  into  the  valleys,  the  wolves  found  so  much  fresh 
food  in  the  carcases  of  the  animals  they  killed  for  themselves  that  they  would  not  eat  very 
eagerly  of  the  poisoned  baits.  The  coyotes  were  killed  off  fairly  closely,  as  they  are  less  able 
to  obtain  living  prey ;  but  the  grey  wolves  are  constantly  reinforced  from  the  mountains,  and 
are  a  permanent  enemy  to  be  coped  with. 

A  curious  instance  of  change  of  habit  in  wolves  on  the  American  prairies  was  recently 
noted  in  the  Spectator.  Formerly  they  followed  the  caravans ;  now  they  come  down  to  the 
great  transcontinental  railways,  and  haunt  the  line  to  obtain  food.  Each  train  which  crosses 
the  prairie  is,  like  a  ship,  full  of  provisions.  Three  meals  a  day  take  place  regularly,  and 
these  are  not  stinted.  The  black  cooks  throw  all  the  waste  portions — beef-bones,  other  bones, 
stale  bread,  and  trimmings — overboard.  The  wolves  have  learnt  that  the  passing  of  a  train 
means  food,  and  when  they  hear  one  they  gallop  down  to  the  line,  and  wait  like  expectant  dogs 
in  the  hope  of  picking  up  a  trifle.  The  coyotes  come  close  to  the  metals,  and  sit  like  terriers, 
with  their  sharp  noses  pricked  up.  The  big  grey  wolves  also  appear  in  the  early  morning, 
standing  on  the  snow,  over  which  the  chill  wind  of  winter  blows,  gaunt  and  hungry  images 
of  winter  and  famine. 


Fhoto  by  Ottomar  Anscltiitz] 


[Berlin* 


A  WOLF  OF  THE  CARPATHIANS. 
This  wolf  Is  a  shorter  and  more  heavily  built  specimen  than  the  Russian  wolf  on  the  previous  page. 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


Pkoto  by  L.  Medland,  F.Z.S.}  [North  FinclUey. 

INDIAN  WOLF. 

This  photograph  shows  the  Indian  wolf  alarmed.    It  has  a 
reputation  for  stealing  children  as  well  as  killing  cattle. 


Some  years  ago  experiments  were  made  at 
the  Eegent's  Park  Zoological  Gardens  to  ascertain  if 
there  were  any  foundation  for  the  old  legends  that 
wolves  feared  the  sound  of  stringed  instruments  such 
as  the  violin.  Every  one  will  remember  the  story  of 
the  fiddler  pursued  by  wolves.  It  is  said  that  as  the 
pack  overtook  him  he  broke  a  string  of  his  instru- 
ment, and  that  the  sudden  noise  of  the  parting  cord 
caused  the  pack  to  stand  still  for  a  minute,  and 
so  enabled  him  to  reach  a  tree,  which  he  climbed. 
Further,  that  when  he  improved  on  the  hint  so  given, 
and  played  his  fiddle,  the  wolves  all  sat  still ;  when 
he  left  off,  they  leapt  up  and  tried  to  reach 
him.  Experiments  with  the  Zoo  wolves  showed  that 
there  was  no  doubt  whatever  that  the  low  minor 
chords  played  on  a  violin  cause  the  greatest  fear  and 
agitation  in  wolves,  both  European  and  Indian.  The 
instrument  was  first  played  behind  the  den  of  an 
Indian  wolf,  and  out  of  sight.  At  the  first  sound  the 
wolf  began  to  tremble,  erected  its  fur,  dropped  its 

tail  between  its  legs,  and  crept  uneasily  across  its  den.  As  the  sounds  grew  louder  and  more 
intense,  the  wolf  trembled  so  violently,  and  showed  such  physical  evidence  of  being  dominated 
by  excessive  fright,  that  the  keeper  begged  that  the  experiment  might  be  discontinued,  or 
the  creature  would  have  a  fit.  A  large  European  wolf  is  described  in  "  Life  at  the  Zoo '' 

as  having  exhibited  its  dislike 
of  the  music  in  a  different 
way.  It  set  up  all  its  fur  till 
it  looked  much  larger  than  its 
ordinary  size,  and  drew  back 
its  lips  until  all  the  white 
teeth  protruding  from  the  red 
gums  were  shown.  It  kept 
silent  till  the  violin-player 
approached  it ;  then  it  flew  at 
him  with  a  ferocious  growl, 
and  tried  to  seize  him. 

There  are  instances  of 
wolves  having  been  quite 
successfully  tamed,  and  de- 
veloping great  affection  for 
their  owners.  They  are 
certainly  more  dog-like  than 
any  fox;  yet  even  the  fox 
has  been  tamed  so  far  as  to 
become  a  domesticated  animal 
for  the  lifetime  of  one  par- 
ticular individual.  An 
extraordinary  instance  of  this 
was  lately  given  in  Country 

Pkoto  ly  Ottomar  AnsMtz]  [Berlin.  j^f      ^^  &  photograph  Qf  the 

WOLF  S   HEAD.  ft 

tox.      It   was   taken    when    a 

A  very  fine  etudy  of  the  bead,  jaws,  and  teeth  of  a  female  wolf.     The  head  of  the  male  is 

much  larger.  cub.  and  brought  up  at  a  large 


The    Dog    Family 


Pkoto  ly  Scholastic  Photo.  Co.]  [Parson's  Green. 

RUSSIAN  WOLF. 
Note  the  expression  of  fear  and  ferocity  on  the  face  of  this  wolf  ;  also  the  enormously  powerful  jaws. 


country     house      with      a 

number  of  dogs.      Among 

these    were    three  terriers, 

with  which  it  made  friends. 

There  were  plenty  of  wild 

foxes  near,  some  of  which 

occasionally  laid  up  in  the 

laurels  in  a  shrubbery  not 

far  from  the  house.     These 

laurels    were,    in    fact,    a 

fairly  safe  find  for   a   fox. 

It  was  the  particular  sport 

of  the  terriers  to  be  taken 

to  "  draw  "  this  bit  of  cover, 

and  to  chase  out  any  fox 

in  it.    On  these  expeditions 

the  tame  fox  invariably  ac- 
companied them,  and  took 

an  active  part  in  the  chase, 

pursuing   the  wild  fox   as 

far    as    the    terriers    were 

able  to  maintain  the  hunt. 

In    Central    Asia   the 

wolves    lie    out    singly  on 
the     steppes    during    the 

summer,   and  feed  on  the 

young  antelopes  and  the  lambs  and  kids  of  the  Tartars'  flocks.  The  Kirghiz  organise  wolf- 
killing  parties,  to  which  as  many  mounted  men  and  dogs  come  as  can  be  brought  together. 
In  order  to  aid  the  dogs,  the  Tartars  often  employ  eagles  trained  to  act  like  falcons,  which 
sit  on  the  arm  of  the  owner.  As  the  eagle  is  too  heavy  to  be  carried  for  any  time  in  this  way, 
a  crutch  is  fastened  to  the  left  side  of  the  saddle,  on  which  the  bearer  of  the  falcon  rests  his 
arm.  When  a  wolf  is  sighted,  the  eagle  is  loosed,  and  at  once  flies  after  the  wolf,  and  overtakes 
it  in  a  short  time,  striking  at  its.  head  and  eyes  with  its  talons,  and  buffeting  it  with  its  wings. 
This  attack  so  disconcerts  the  wolf  that  it  gives  time  for  the  dogs  to  come  up  and  seize  it. 
The  habits  of  the  Siberian  wolf  are  rather  different  from  those  in  West  Russia,  and  the 
settlers  and  nomad  Tartars  of  Siberia  are  far  more  adventurous  and  energetic  in  defending 
themselves  against  its  ravages  than  the  peasants  of  European  Russia.  Being  mounted,  they 
also  have  a  great  advantage  in  the  pursuit.  The  result  is  that  Siberian  wolves  seldom  appear 
in  large  packs,  and  very  rarely  venture  to  attack  man.  Yet  the  damage  they  do  to  the  flocks 
and  herds  which  constitute  almost  the  only  property  of  the  nomad  tribes  is  very  severe. 

Both  the  Russians  and  Siberians  believe  that  when  a  she-wolf  is  suckling  her  young  she 
carefully  avoids  attacking  flocks  in  the  neighbourhood  of  the  place  where  the  cubs  lie,  but 
that  if  she  be  robbed  of  her  whelps  she  revenges  herself  by  attacking  the  nearest  flock.  On 
this  account  the  Siberian  peasants  rarely  destroy  a  litter,  but  hamstring  the  young  wolves, 
and  then  catch  them  when  partly  grown,  and  kill  them  for  the  sake  of  their  fur.  Among 
the  ingenious  methods  used  for  shooting  wolves  in  Siberia  is  that  of  killing  them  from  sledges. 
A  steady  horse  is  harnessed  to  a  sledge,  and  the  driver  takes  his  seat  in  front  as  usual. 
Behind  sit  two  men  armed  with  guns,  and  provided  with  a  small  pig,  which  is  induced  to 
squeak  often  and  loudly.  In  the  rear  of  the  sledge  a  bag  of  hay  is  trailed  on  a  long  rope. 
Any  wolf  in  the  forest  near  which  hears  the  pig  concludes  that  it  is  a  young  wild  one 
separated  from  its  mother.  Seeing  the  hay-bag  trailing  behind  the  sledge  in  the  dusk,  it 
leaps  out  to  seize  it,  and  is  shot  by  the  passengers  sitting  on  the  back  seat  of  the  sledge. 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


Photo  by  L.  Medland,  F.Z.S.]  [North  Finchley. 

NORTH  AFRICAN  JACKAL. 
This  is  the  common  jackal  of  Cairo  and  Lower  Egypt. 


TEE  JACKAL. 

Of  the  Wild  Canine  Family,  the  JACKAL  is 
the  next  in  numbers  and  importance  to  the 
wolves.  Probably  in  the  East  it  is  the  most 
numerous  of  any.  In  India,  Egypt,  and 
Syria  it  regularly  haunts  the  outskirts  of 
cities,  and  lives  on  refuse.  In  the  Indian 
plains  wounded  animals  are  also  killed  by  the 
jackals.  At  night  the  creatures  assemble  in 
packs,  and  scour  the  outskirts  of  the  cities. 
Horrible  are  the  bowlings  and  weird  the  cries 
of  these  hungry  packs.  In  Ceylon  they  live 
in  the  hills  and  open  country  like  foxes, 
and  kill  the  hares.  When  taken  young 
jackals  can  be  tamed,  and  have  all  the 
manners  of  a  dog.  They  wag  their  tails, 
fawn  on  their  master,  roll  over  and  stick 
up  their  paws,  and  could  probably  be  domesti- 
cated in  a  few  generations,  were  it  worth 
while.  They  eat  fruits  and  vegetables,  such 
as  melons  and  pumpkins,  eagerly. 
In  Africa  two  species  are  found — the  BLACK-BACKED  JACKAL  and  the  STRIPED  JACKAL;  the 
former  is  the  size  of  a  large  English  fox.  The  young  jackals  are  born  in  holes  or  earths; 
six  seems-  to  be  the  usual  number  of  puppies.  They  have  nearly  always  a  back  door  by 
which  they  can  escape ;  this  is  just  large  enough  for  the  puppies  to  squeeze  through,  what- 
ever their  size.  When  fox-terriers  are  put  into  the  earth,  the  jackal  puppies  fly  out  of  their 
back  doors,  through  which,  as  a  rule,  the  terriers  are  unable  to  follow  them.  Should  there 
be  no  one  outside,  the  puppies  race  out  on  to 
the  veldt  as  hard  as  they  can  go.  This  jackal 
is  terribly  destructive  to  sheep  and  lambs  in 
the  Colony.  A  reward  of  7s.  6d.  per  tail  is 
paid  to  the  Kaffirs  for  killing  them.  The  SIDE- 
STRIPED  JACKAL  is  a  Central  African  species, 
said  to  hunt  in  packs,  to  interbreed  with 
domestic  dogs,  and  to  be  most  easily  tamed. 
Both  in  India  and  South  Africa  the  jackal 
has  been  found  to  be  of  some  service  to  the 
white  man  by  providing  him  with  a  substi- 
tute for  the  fox  to  hunt.  It  has  quite  as 
remarkable  powers  of  endurance  as  the  fox, 
though  it  does  not  fight  in  the  same 
determined  way  when  the  hounds  overtake  it. 
But  it  is  not  easy  to  estimate  the  courage  of 
a  fox  when  in  difficulties.  The  writer  has 
known  one,  when  coursed  by  two  large  grey- 
hounds, to  disable  both  almost  instantaneously. 
One  was  bitten  across  the  muzzle,  the  other 
through  the  foot.  The  fox  escaped  without 

a    bite    from    either.      In   India    the  hounds      ^nwtoiyA.  s.  Rutland  &  sons. 
used    are    drafts    from    English   packs.      The  INDIAN  JACKAL. 

,  ,,  ,  -A-     it.  j     ji  This  Indian  jackal  might  te  sitting  for  his  portrait  in  Mr.  Rudyard 

hOt    Weather    does      not     SUlt     them,     and     they        Kipiing-s  tale  of  the  "undertakers "-the  jackal,  alligator,  and  adjutant. 


The    Dog    Family 


93 


are  seldom  long-lived ;  but  while  they 
are  in  health  they  will  run  a  jackal 
across  the  Indian  plains  as  gaily  as 
they  would  a  fox  over  the  Hampshire 
Downs.  The  meet  is  very  early  in  the 
morning,  as  the  scent  then  lies,  and 
riding  is  not  too  great  an  exertion.  The 
ground  drawn  is  not  the  familiar  English 
covert,  but  fields,  watercourses,  and  old 
buildings.  A  strong  dog-jackal  goes 
away  at  a  great  pace,  and  as  the  ground 
is  open  the  animal  is  often  in  view  for 
the  greater  part  of  the  run ;  but  it 
keeps  well  ahead  of  the  hounds  often 
for  three  or  four  miles,  and  if  it  does 
not  escape  into  a  hole  or  ruin  is  usually 
pulled  down  by  them.  Major-General 
R.  S.  S.  Baden-Powell  has  written 
and  illustrated  an  amusing  account  of 
his  days  with  the  fox-hounds  of  South 
Africa  hunting  jackals.  The  local  Boer 
farmers,  rough,  unkempt,  and  in  ragged 
trousers,  used  to  turn  up  smoking  their 
pipes  to  enjoy  the  sport  with  the 
smartly  got-up  English  officers.  When 
once  the  game  was  found,  they  were  just 
as  excited  as  the  Englishmen,  and  on 
their  Boer  ponies  rode  just  as  hard,  and 
with  perhaps  more  judgment. 


Photo  by  L.  Midland,  F.Z.S.] 

TURKISH  JACKAL. 


[North  Finchley. 


This  jackal  is  common  in  both  Turkey  in  Europe  and  in  Asia.  Near 
Constantinople  it  feeds  largely  on  the  bodies  buried  in  the  cemeteries 
at  Scutari. 


Photo  ly  A.  S.  liudland  &  Sons. 

MANED   WOLF. 
A  South  American  animal ;  its  coat  is  a  chestnut-red. 

Jackals  are  said  to  be  much  increasing 
in  South  Africa  since  the  outbreak  of  the 
war.  The  fighting  has  so  far  arrested 
farming  operations  that  the  war  usually 
maintained  on  all  beasts  which  destroy  cattle 
or  sheep  has  been  allowed  to  drop.  In  parts 
of  the  more  hilly  districts  both  the  jackal 
and  the  leopard  are  reappearing  where  they 
have  not  been  common  for  years,  and  it 
will  take  some  time  before  these  enemies  of 
the  farmer  are  destroyed. 

THE  MANED  WOLF. 

This  is  by  far  the  largest  of  several 
peculiar  South  American  species  of  the  Dog 
Family  which  we  have  not  room  to  mention. 
It  occurs  in  Paraguay  and  adjoining  regions, 
and  is  easily  distinguishable  by  its  long 
limbs  and  large  ears.  It  is  chestnut-red  in 
colour,  with  the  lower  part  of  the  legs 
black,  and  is  solitary  in  its  habits. 


94 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


Photo  by  A.  S.  Rudland  <t  Sons. 

WILD   DOG. 

These  animals  range  from  the  plains  of  India  and  Burma  .to  the  Tibetan  Plateau  and  Siberia. 
They  hunt  in  small  packs,  usually  by  day,  and  are  very  destructive  to  game,  but  seldom  attack 
domestic  animals. 


THE  WILD  DOG  OF  AFRICA, 
OR  CAPE  HUNTING-DOG. 

This  is  a  most  interest- 
ing creature,  differing  from 
the    true    dogs    in    having 
only  four  toes  on  both  fore 
and  hind  feet,  and  in  being 
spotted    like   a    hyaena. 
These  dogs  are  the  scourge 
of  African    game,    hunting 
in    packs.      Long   of   limb 
and     swift    of    foot,    in- 
cessantly  restless,    with   an 
overpowering  desire  to  snap 
and  bite  from  mere  animal 
spirits,  the  Cape  wild   dog, 
even  when  in  captivity  and 
attached   to    its    master,    is 
an    intractable    beast.       In 
its   native    state   it    kills   the    farmers'    cattle  and   sheep   and    the   largest   antelopes.       A    pack 
has    been    seen   to    kill    and    devour    to    the    last    morsel    a    large    buck     in    fifteen    minutes. 
Drummond   says :    "  It    is   a  marvellous    sight  to    see   a  pack    of   them  hunting,    drawing  cover 
after    cover,  their  sharp  bell-like  note  ringing  through    the    air,  while   a   few  of  the   fastest   of 
their   number   take   up  their   places   along   the  expected  line  of  the  run,  the  wind,  the  nature 
of  the  ground,  and  the  habits  of  the  game   being  all   taken   into  consideration    with  wonderful 
skill."      The  same  writer  says  that  he   has  seen  them  dash   into  a   herd   of  cattle  feeding  not 
a  hundred  yards  from  the  house,  drive  out  a  beast,  disappear  over  a  rising  ground,  kill  it,  and 

pick  its  bones  before  a  horse 
could  be  saddled  and  ridden  to 
the  place. 

THE  INDIAN  WILD  DOGS. 

Mr.  Rudyard  Kipling's 
stories  of  the  "  Dhole,"  the  red 
dogs  of  the  Indian  jungle,  have 
made  the  world  familiar  with 
these  ferocious  and  wonderfully 
bold  wild  dogs.  There  is  very 
little  doubt  that  they  were 
found  in  historic  times  in  Asia 
Minor.  Possibly  the  surviving 
stories  of  the  "  Gabriel  hounds  " 
and  other  ghostly  packs  driv- 
ing deer  alone  in  the  German 
and  Russian  forests,  tales  which 
remain  even  in  remote  parts  of 
England,  are  a  survival  of  the 
days  when  the  wild  dogs  lived 
in  Europe.  At  present  there 
is  one  species  of  long-haired 


Photo  l>y  Scholastic  Photo.  Co.] 


DINGO. 


The  wild  dog  of  Australia,     It  was  found  there  by  the  first  discoverers,  but  was  probably 
introduced  from  elsewhere 


95 


96 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


Photo  ly  A.  S.  Rudland  &  Sons. 

CAPE  HUNTING-DOG. 

This  animal  hunts  in  packs.     It  is  very  active  and  most  destructive  to  large  game 
of  many  kinds. 


wild  dog  in  "West  Central  Siberia. 
These  dogs  killed  nearly  all  the 
deer  in  the  large  forests  near  Omsk 
some  years  ago.  Across  the  Himalaya 
there  are  several  species,  one  of 
them  as  far  east  as  Burma ;  but  the 
most  famous  are  the  RED  DOGS  OF 
THE  DECCAN.  They  frequent  both 
the  jungles  and  the  hills ;  but  their 
favourite  haunt  is  the  uplands  of  the 
Indian  Ghats.  They  are  larger  than 
a  jackal,  much  stronger,  and  hunt 
in  packs.  They  have  only  ten  teeth 
on  each  side,  instead  of  eleven,  as 
in  the  other  dogs  and  foxes.  There 
is  no  doubt  that  these  fierce  hunting- 
dogs  actually  take  prey  from  the 
tiger's  jaws,  and  probably  attack  the 

tiger  itself.  They  will  beset  a  tiger  at  any  time,  and  the  latter  seems  to  have  learnt  from 
them  an  instinctive  fear  of  dogs.  Not  so  the. leopard,  which,  being  able  to  climb,  has  nothing 
to  fear  even  from  the  "dhole."  A  coffee-planter,  inspecting  his  grounds,  heard  a  curious  noise 
in  the  forest  bordering  his  estate.  On  going  round  the  corner  of  a  thick  bush,  he  almost  trod 
on  the  tail  of  a  tiger  standing  with  his  back  towards  him.  He  silently  retreated,  but  as  he  did 
so  he  saw  that  there  was  a  pack  of  wild  dogs  a  few  paces  in  front  of  the  tiger,  yelping  at  him, 
and  making  the  peculiar  noise  which  had  previously  attracted  his  attention.  Having  procured 
a  rifle,  he  returned  with  some  of  his  men  to  the  spot.  The  tiger  was  gone,  but  they  disturbed 
a  large  pack  of  wild  dogs  feeding  on  the  body  of  a  stag.  This,  on  examination,  proved  to 
have  been  killed  by  the  tiger,  for  there  were  the  marks  of  the  teeth  in  its  neck.  The  dogs 
had  clearly  driven  the  tiger  from  his  prey  and  appropriated  it.  The  dread  of  the  tiger  for 
these  wild  dogs  was  discovered  by  the  sportsmen  of  the  Nilgiri  Hills,  and  put  to  a  good 
use.  They  used  to  collect  scratch  packs  and  hunt  up  tigers  in  the  woods.  The  tiger,  thinking 
they  were  the  dreaded  wild  pack,  would  either  leave  altogether  or  scramble  into  a  tree.  As 
tigers  never  do  this  ordinarily,  it  shows  how  wild  dogs  get  on  their  nerves. 

Several  South  American  wild  dogs  and  foxes  are  included  in  the  series  with  the  wolves 
and  jackals.  Among  these  are  AZARA'S  DOG  and  the  RACCOON-DOG.  These  are  commonly 
called  foxes,  though  they  have  wolf-like  skulls. 


THE  DINGO. 

The  only  non-marsupial  animal  of  Australia  when  the  continent  was  discovered  was  the 
WILD  DOG,  or  DINGO.  Its  origin  is  not  known ;  but  as  soon  as  the  settlers'  flocks  and  herds 
began  to  increase  its  ravages  were  most  serious,  though  doubtless  some  of  the  havoc  with 
which  it  was  accredited  was  due  in  a  great  measure  to  runaways  from  domestication.  Anyhow, 
in  the  dingo  the  settlers  found  the  most  formidable  enemy  with  which  they  had  to  contend, 
and  vigorous  measures  were  taken  to  reduce  their  numbers  and  minimise  their  ravages,  so 
that  by  now  they  are  nearly  exterminated  in  Van  Diemen's  Land  and  rare  on  the  mainland 
of  Australia. 

It  is  a  fine,  bold  dog,  of  considerable  size,  generally  long-coated,  of  a  light  tan  colour, 
and  with  pricked-up  ears.  It  is  easily  tamed,  and  some  of  those  kept  in  this  country  have 
made  affectionate  pets.  Puppies  are  regularly  bred  and  sold  at  the  Zoological  Gardens.  The 
animal  has  an  elongated,  flat  head  which  is  carried  high ;  the  fur  is  soft,  and  the  tail  bushy. 
In%  the  wild  state  it  is  very  muscular  and  fierce. 


Photo  by  OttoiiHir  Anxchutz,  Berlin. 

HIMALAYAN      BLACK     BEAR. 
This  photograph  shows  the  most  active  climber  of  the  two  Himalayan  bears. 


The    Dog    Family 


97 


THE  FOXES. 


FOXES  form  a  very  well-marked  group.  They  have  very  pointed  muzzles,  strong  though 
slightly  built  bodies,  very  fine  thick  fur,  often  beautifully  coloured  and  very  valuable,  bushy  tails, 
pricked-up  ears,  and  eyes  with  pupils  which  contract  by  day  into  a  mere  slit.  They  are  quite 
distinct  from  dogs  (although  wolves  are  not),  and  will  not  interbreed,  though  stories  are  told  to 
the  contrary.  The  smell  of  a  fox  is  disgusting  to  a  dog,  and  quite  sufficient  to  distinguish  it. 

If  the  present  writer  takes  a  simpler  view  of  the  kinds  and  species  of  foxes  than  that 
adopted  by  many  naturalists,  he  must  plead  to  a  study  of  the  subject  on  slightly  different  lines 
than  those  usually  followed.  The  skins  of  all  foxes  are  valuable,  some  more  than  others.  But 
they  are  sent  in  hundreds  of  thousands,  and  from  all  parts  of  the  northern  hemisphere,  to 
London  to  the  great  fur-sales.  There  these  differences  can  be  studied  as  they  can  be  studied 


Photo  l>y  C.  Reid}  [  mshaw,  N.B. 

FOX  CUBS. 
Fox  cubs  are  born  from  March  25  till  three  weeks  later,  the  time  when  young  rabbits,  their  best  food,  are  most  numerous. 

nowhere  else.  As  the  habits  and  structure  of  foxes  are  much  alike,  allowing  for  differences 
of  climate,  and  the  discrepancies  in  size,  not  more  than  can  be  accounted  for  by  abundance  or 
scarcity  of  food,  it  seems  pretty  certain  that  these  animals  are  some  of  the  few,  almost  alone 
among  mammals,  showing  almost  every  variety  of  colouring,  from  black  to  white,  from  splendid 
chameleon-red  to  salmon -pink,  and  many  exquisite  shades  of  brown,  grey,  and  silver.  At  the 
Hudson  Bay  Company's  sales  you  may  see  them  all,  and  trace  the  differences  and  gradations  over 
whole  continents.  The  most  important  are  those  of  North  America.  There  the  EED  CANADIAN 
Fox,  of  a  ruddier  hue  than  brown,  shades  off  into  the  yellow  and  grey  CROSS  Fox  of  farther  north. 
But  of  these  there  are  many  varieties.  Then  farther  north  still  comes  an  area  where  red  foxes, 
cross  foxes,  and  black  foxes  are  found.  The  black  fox,  when  the  fur  is  slightly  sprinkled  with 
white,  is  the  famous  SILVER  Fox.  This  and  the  black  fox  are  also  found  in  North  Siberia 
and  Manchuria.  Farthest  north  we  find  the  little  stunted  ARCTIC  FOXES.  In  the  Caucasus 
and  Central  Asia  large  yellowish-red  foxes  live,  and  in  Japan  and  China  a  very  bright  red 
variety.  A  small  grey  fox  lives  in  Virginia,  and  is  hunted  with  hounds  descended  from  packs 

13 


98 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


taken  out  before  the  American  Revolution.  India  has 
its  small  DESERT-FOXES  ("the  little  foxes  that  eat  the 
grapes  ")  and  the  BENGAL  Fox. 

The  value   of  the   foxes   as   fur-bearing   animals   is 
immense.     Only  white,  blue,  and  black  skins  seem  to  be 
appreciated  in  England.     The  black  fox  has  been  known 
to  fetch  150    guineas   a    skin.       But    in  the    East,    from 
Asia  Minor  to  China,  red,  grey, 
and     yellow    fox-skins    are     the 
lining  of  every  rich  man's  winter 
wraps.      Splendid    mixed    robes 
are  made  by  the  Chinese  by  in- 
serting portions  of  cross  fox-skins 
into  coats   of   cut    sable,    giving 

the   idea    that   it   is    the  fur   of        f^to  iy  a.  w.  wnson  «t  Co.,  Ltd.] 
a  new  animal.  MOUNTAIN-FOX. 

rpr  P'OMMmvr         T^r>Y          tViA     *n  kiUy  countries  the  fox  becomes  a  powerful  and  destructive  animal,  killing  not  only  game 

foundation    or    type    of   all    the 

above,  is  the  best-known  carnivorous  animal  in  this  country.  Abroad  its  habits  do  not  greatly 
differ,  except  that,  not  being  hunted  much  with  hounds,  it  is  less  completely  nocturnal.  It 
drops  its  young  in  an  earth  early  in  April.  Thither  the  vixen  carries  food  till  late  in  June, 
when  the  cubs  come  out,  and  often  move  to  a  wood  or  a  corn-field.  There  they  are  still  fed, 
but  learn  to  do  a  little  on  their  own  account  by  catching  mice  and  moles.  By  late  September 
the  hounds  come  cub-hunting,  partly  to  kill  off  superfluous  foxes,  partly  to  educate  the  young 
hounds,  and  to  teach  the  foxes  to  fear  them  and  to  make  them  leave  cover  easily.  Four  or 
five  cubs  in  a  litter  are  commonly  seen.  The  distance  which  a  fox  will  run  is  extraordinary. 
The  following  is  a  true  account  of  one  of  the  most  remarkable  runs  ever  known.  The  hounds 
were  those  of  Mr.  Tom  Smith,  master  of  the  Hambledon  Hunt.  He  was  the  man  of  whom 
another  famous  sportsman  said  that  if  he  were  a  fox  he  should  prefer  to  be  hunted  by  a  pack 
of  hounds  rather  than  by  Tom  Smith  with  a  stick  in  his  hand.  The  fox  was  found  in  a  cover 
called  Markwells,  at  one  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  in  December,  near  Petersfield.  It  crossed  into 
Sussex,  and  ran  into  an  earth  in  Grafham  Hill  a  little  before  dark.  The  fox  had  gone  twenty- 
seven  miles.  The  hounds  had  forty  miles  to  go  back  to  kennel  that  night,  and  three  only 
found  their  way  home  four  days  afterwards.  Dog-foxes  assemble  in  considerable  numbers 

when  a  vixen  is  about  in  spring, 
and  at  all  times  common  foxes 
are  sociable  creatures,  though  not 
actually  living  in  societies.  Some- 
times as  many  as  five  or  six  are 
found  in  a  single  earth.  Two 
years  ago  five  foxes  and  a  badger 
were  found  in  one  near  Romford. 
They  eat  mice,  beetles,  rats,  birds, 
game,  poultry,  and  frogs.  Their 
favourite  food  is  rabbits.  If  there 
are  plenty  of  these,  they  will  not 
touch  other  game.  They  hunt  along 
the  railway-lines  for  dead  birds 
killed  by  the  telegraph-wires.  In 

PHotoly  C.Reid],  IWisUaw,  N.B.  fche    Ngw     Forest     th          ^O    gO    down 

LEICESTERSHIRE   FOX.  ,,  ,  j        •    i  j       j n    i 

to  the  shore  and  pick  up  dead  nsn. 

Leicestershire  is  the  best  fox-hunting  county  in  England.    The  foxes  are  famous  for  * 

their  speed  and  endurance.  One    in     the     Writer's     pOSSCSSion 


•1 


Photo  by  Ottomar  Anschuts±  [Berlin. 

TOO   DIFFICULT  ! 

Foxes  can  easily  climb  trees  with  small  projecting  branches.     One  was  found  37  feet  up  a  tree  in  Savernake  Forest ;  but  a  branchless  stump  such  as 

that  here  shown  no  fox  could  climb. 


99 


100 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


Photos  ly  Scholastic  Photo.  Co.] 
In  summer. 


ARCTIC    FOX. 
Changing  his  coat. 


[Parson's  Green. 
In  winter. 


The  Arctic  Fox  is  one  of  the  few  animals  showing  different  phases  of  colour,  some  being  blue  at  all  seasons,  wliile  others   are  white  in  winter 

and  mottled  brownish  in  summer. 

shot   when   carrying   away   a   lamb  from  a   sheepfold    near   the    cliffs    of  Sidmouth,    in    Devon. 
The  shepherd  thought  it  was  a  marauding  dog,  and  lay  in  wait  with  a  gun. 

THE  ARCTIC  Fox. 

The  ARCTIC  Fox  is  somewhat  different  in  habits  from  others.  It  is  also  much  smaller 
than  the  red  foxes.  Its  fur  is  almost  as  soft  as  eiderdown,  and  so  thick  that  the  cold  does 
not  penetrate.  In  winter  the  whole  coat  changes  colour,  not  gradually,  but  in  patches.  At 
the  same  time  a  dense  growth  of  under-fur  comes  up  on  the  body.  In  summer  this  is  shed 
in  patches,  almost  like  loose  felt.  The  foxes  live  in  colonies,  but  are  so  hard  put  to  it  for 
food  in  the  winter  that  they  desert  their  homes  to  gather  round  whaling-ships  or  encampments. 
There  they  steal  everything  edible,  from  snowshoe-thongs  to  seal-flesh.  Blue  foxes  are  bred 
and  kept  for  the  sake  of  their  fur  on  some  of  the  islands  in  Bering  Sea.  They  are  fed  on  the 
flesh  of  the  seals  killed  on  the  neighbouring  islands,  and  are,  like  them,  killed  when  their 
coat  is  in  condition. 


THE  FENNECS. 


Africa  has  a  group 
Some  of  th  em 
Maholis  and  other 
Several  are  not  more 
long;  they  are  a 
but  the  eyes  are  very 

The  COMMON 
over  the  whole  of 
food  is  dates  and 
but  it  is  also  fond 
eat  mice  and  insects, 
original  hero  of  the 
and  the  grapes, 
fennec,  which  is 
the  SILVER  Fox,  is 
Cape  to  as  far 
It  is  23  inches 
mainly  on  insects 


of  small  foxes  of  its  own. 


Photo  ly  A.  S.  Rudland  <fc  Sons. 

FENJSTEC-FOX. 

Remarkable  for  the  great  size  of  the  ears.    An  African  species.     Its  sense 
of  hearing  is  probably  very  acute. 


They  have  very  large  ears  and  dark  eyes, 
remind  us  of  the 
large-eyed  lemuroids. 
than  9  or  10  inches 
whitish-khaki  colour, 
dark  and  brilliant. 
FENNEC  is  found 
Africa.  Its  favourite 
any  sweet  fruit, 
of  eggs,  and  will 
It  is  probably  the 
story  of  the  fox 
The  large-eared 
sometimes  called 
found  from  the 
north  as  Abyssinia, 
long,  and  lives 


and  fruit. 


The    Dog    Family 


101 


DOMESTIC   DOGS. 


BY   C.    II.    LANE. 


THE  DOG,  almost  without  exception,  shows  a  marked  liking  for  the  society'-  of  Kumari" 
beings,  and  adapts  itself  to  their  ways  more  than  any  other  animal. 

Fox-,  Stag-,  and  Hare-hounds— the  latter  better  known  as  Hariers  and  Beagles — have 
many  points  in  common,  much  beauty  of  shape  and  colour,  and  great  suitability  for  their 
work,  though  differing  in  some  other  particulars. 

Another  group — Greyhounds,  Whippets,  Irish  Wolf-hounds,  Scottish  Deer-hounds,  all  of  which 
come  under  the  category  of  Gaze-hounds,  or  those  which  hunt  by  sight — are  built  for  great 
speed,  to  enable  them  to  cope  with  the  fleet  game  they  pursue.  In  the  same  group  should  be 
included  the  BORZOI,  or  Russian  Wolf-hound,  now  very  popular  in  this  country,  with  something 
of  the  appearance  of  the  Scottish  deer-hound  about  it  as  to  shape,  but  with  a  finer,  longer 
head,  deeper  body,  more  muscular  limbs,  and  shaggier  in  the  hair  on  body  and  tail. 

The  OTTER-HOUND  is  one  of  the  most  picturesque  of  all  the  hound  tribe.  This  variety 
somewhat  reminds  one  of  a  large  and  leggy  Dandie  Dinmont  terrier,  with  a  touch  of  the 
blood-hound,  and  is  thought  to  have  been  originally  produced  from  a  cross  between  these  or 
similar  varieties. 

The  BLOOD-HOUND  is  another,  with  much  style  and  beauty  of  shape,  colour,  and  character 
about  it  which  cannot  fail  to  favourably  impress  any  beholder.  The  matches  or  trials  which 
have  of  late  years  been  held  in  different  localities  have  been  most  interesting  in  proving  its 
ability  for  tracking  footsteps  for  long  distances,  merely  following  them  by  scent,  some  time 
after  the  person  hunted  started  on  the  trail.  By  the  kindness  of  my  friend  Mr.  E.  Brough, 
I  am  able  to  give  as  an  illustration  a  portrait  of  what  he  considers  the  best  blood-hound 
ever  bred. 

Much  valued  by  sportsmen  with  the  gun  are  POINTERS,  so  called  from  their  habit  of  remaining 
in  a  fixed  position  when  their  quarry  is  discovered,  eagerly  pointing  in  its  direction  until  the 
arrival  of  the  guns.  They  are  most  often  white,  with  liver,  lemon,  or  black  markings ;  but 
occasionally  self  colours,  such  as  liver  or  black,  are  met  with.  They  have  been  largely  bred 


Photo  by  F.  H  Dembrey] 


{Bristol. 


STAG-HOUND  PUPPIES. 

This  gives  an  interesting  group  of  hounds  in  kennel. 


102 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


Photo  by  T.  Fall] 


[Baker  Street. 


GBEYHOUND. 

A  typical  specimen  of  this  elegant  variety. 


in  the  west  of  England.  I 
have  been  fortunate  in 
obtaining  one  of  Mr.  E.  C. 
Norrish's  celebrated  strain 
as  a  typical  specimen  for 
illustration. 

The  SETTER  group,  which 
comprises  three  varieties,  are 
all  useful  and  beautiful  in 
their  way.  The  English  are 
usually  white,  with  markings 
or  tickings  of  blue,  lemon, 
or  black ;  they  are  rather 
long  and  narrow  in  the  head, 
with  bodies  and  sterns  well 
feathered,  and  are  graceful 
and  active  movers.  Gordon 
setters,  which  are  always 
black  and  tan  in  colour,  and 
preferred  without  any  white, 
are  generally  larger  and 
stronger  in  build  than  the 
last-named.  Irish  setters  are 
more  on  the  lines  of  the 
English,  being  a  rich  tawny 
red  in  colour,  rather  higher 
on  the  leg,  with  narrow  skulls,  glossy  coats,  feathered  legs  and  stern,  ears  set  low  and  lying 
back,  and  lustrous,  expressive  eyes. 

KETRIEVERS  may  be  divided  into  flat-coated  and  curly-coated.  Both  are  usually  black, 
but  other  colours  are  occasionally  seen.  The  coats  of  the  first-named  are  full,  but  without 
curl  in  them;  while  the  latter  have  their  bodies,  heads,  legs, 'thighs,  and  even  tails  covered 
with  small  close  curls.  The  eyes  of  both  should  be  dark,  and  the  ears  carried  closely  to  the 
sides  of  the  head.  In  an  article  dealing  with  retrievers,  which  appeared  in  the  Cornhill 
Magazine  under  the  title  of  "  Dogs  which  Earn  their  Living,"  the  author  writes :  "  There 
is  not  the  slightest  doubt  that  in  the  modern  retrievers  acquired  habits,  certainly  one 
acquired  habit,  that  of  fetching  dead  and  wounded  game,  are  transmitted  directly.  The 
puppies  sometimes  retrieve  without  being  taught,  though  with  this  they  also  combine  a 
greatly  improved  capacity  for  further  teaching.  Kecently  a  retriever  was  sent  after  a  winged 
partridge  which  had  run  into  a  ditch.  The  dog  followed  it  some  way  down  the  ditch, 
and  presently  came  out  with  an  old  rusty  tea-kettle,  held  in  its  mouth  by  the  handle. 
The  kettle  was  taken  from  the  dog,  amid  much  laughter ;  then  it  was  found  that  inside  the 
kettle  was  the  partridge !  The  explanation  was  that  the  bird,  when  wounded,  ran  into  the 
ditch,  which  was  narrow.  In  the  ditch  was  the  old  kettle,  with  no  lid  on.  Into  this  the  bird 
crept ;  and  as  the  dog  could  not  get  the  bird  out,  it  very  properly  brought  out  the  kettle 
with  the  bird  in  it.  Among  dogs  which  earn  their  living,  these  good  retrievers  deserve  a  place 
in  the  front  rank."  The  illustration  shows  a  good  flat-coated  retriever  at  work. 

The  SPANIEL  group  is  rather  large,  including  the  English  and  Irish  water-spaniels,  the 
former  an  old-fashioned,  useful  sort,  often  liver  or  roan,  with  some  white  or  other  markings, 
and  a  good  deal  of  curl  in  the  coat  and  on  the  ears.  His  Irish  brother  is  always  some  shade  of 
liver  in  colour,  larger  in  the  body  and  higher  on  the  leg,  covered  with  a  curly  coat,  except  on  the 
tail,  which  is  nearly  bare  of  hair,  with  a  profusion  of  hair  on  the  top  of  the  head,  often  hanging 
down  over  the  eyes,  giving  a  comical  appearance,  and  increasing  his  Hibernian  expression.  They 


Photo  by  C.  Reid] 


RETRIEVER. 

This  represents  a  flat-coated  retriever  at  work,  and  is  remarkably  true  to  life. 
103 


[  Wiahaw,  K.B. 


104 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


make  lively,  affectionate  companions  and 
grand  assistants  at  waterfowl-shooting. 

CLUMBER  SPANIELS  are  always  a 
creamy  white,  with  lemon  or  light  tan 
markings,  and  are  rather  slow  and  de- 
liberate in  their  movements,  but  have  a 
stylish,  high-class  look  about  them. 

SUSSEX  SPANIELS  are  also  rather  heavy 
in  build  and  of  muscular  frame,  but 
can  do  a  day's  work  with  most  others. 
They  are  a  rich  copper-red  in  colour, 
with  low  short  bodies,  long  feathered 
ears,  full  eyes  of  deep  colour,  and  are 
very  handsome. 

BLACK  SPANIELS  should  be  glossy 
raven-black  in  colour,  with  strong 
muscular  bodies  on  strong  short  legs, 
long  pendulous  ears,  and  expressive  eyes. 
Good  specimens  are  in  high  favour,  and 
command  long  prices.  I  regret  I  cannot 
find  room  for  an  illustration  of  this  breed, 
so  deservedly  popular. 

COCKERS,  which  are  shorter  in  the  back,  higher  on  the  leg,  and  lighter  in  weight,  being 
usually  under  25  Ibs.,  are  very  popular,  full  of  life,  and  very  attractive  in  appearance. 

BASSET-HOUNDS,  both  rough-  and  smooth-coated,  are  probably  the  most  muscular  dogs  in 
existence  of  their  height,  with  much  dignity  about  them.  In  the  Sporting  Teams  at  the 
Royal  Agricultural  Hall  there  were  some  thirteen  or  fifteen  teams  of  all  kinds  of  sporting 
dogs,  and  of  these  a  team  each  of  rough  and  smooth  bassets  was  in  the  first  four. 

DACHSHUNDS  are  often  erroneously  treated  as  Sporting  Dogs.  There  are  certainly  not 
so  many  supporters  of  the  breed  as  formerly.  Their  lean  heads,  with  long  hanging  ears, 
long  low  bodies,  and  crooked  fore  legs,  give  them  a  quaint  appearance.  The  colours 
are  usually  shades  of  chestnut-red  or  black  and  tan ;  but  some  are  seen  chocolate  and 
"  dappled,"  which  is  one  shade  of  reddish  brown,  with  spots  and  blotches  of  a  darker  shade 
all  over  it. 

GREAT  DANES,  though  mostly  classed  amongst  Non-sporting  Dogs,  have  much  of  the 
hound  in  their  bearing  and  appearance.  The  whole-coloured  are  not  so  popular  as  the  various 


BLOOD-HOUND. 

This  photograph  shows  what  an  almost  perfect  blood-hound  should  be  like. 


ENGLISH   SETTER. 
A  typical  but  rather  coarse  specimen  of  a  beautiful  variety. 


Pholo  by  E.  landor]  [Baling. 

SMOOTH-COATED   SAINT   BERNARD. 
The  illustration  gives  a  capital  idea  of  these  handsome  dogs. 


The    Dog    Family 


105 


shades  of  brindle  and  harlequin,  but  I  have  seen  many  beautiful  fawns,  blues,  and  othei 
whole  colours.  They  are  being  bred  with  small  natural  drooping  ears.  One  of  the  first  I 
remember  seeing  exhibited  was  a  large  harlequin  belonging  to  the  late  Mr.  Frank  Adcock. 
with  the  appropriate  name  of  "  Satan,"  as,  although  always  shown  muzzled,  he  required  the 
attentions  of  three  or  four  keepers  to  deal  with  him;  and  at  one  show  I  attended  he  over- 
powered his  keepers,  got  one  of  them  on  the  ground,  tore  his  jacket  off,  and  gave  him  a 

rough  handling. 

NON-SPORTING  VARIETIES. 

SAINT  BERNARDS,  although 
sometimes  exceeding  3  feet  at 
the  shoulder,  are  as  a  rule  very 
docile  and  good-tempered,  and 
many  are  owned  by  ladies.  The 
coat  may  be  rough  or  smooth, 
according  to  taste;  but  either 
are  splendid,  animals.  They  are 
sometimes  seen  self-coloured, 
but  those  with  markings — shades 
of  rich  red,  with  white  and 
black,  for  preference — are  the 
handsomest.  They  are  still  used 
as  "  first  aids "  in  the  snow  on 
the  Swiss  mountains.  So  far  as 
I  remember,  this  is  the  only 
breed  of  dog  used  for  stud  and 
exhibition  for  which  as  much  as 
£1,500  has  been  paid;  and  this 
has  occurred  on  more  than  one 
occasion. 

NEWFOUNDLANDS     have     re- 
gained their  place  in  popularity,  and  many  good  blacks  and  black-and-whites  can  now  be  seen. 

Numerous    cases   are    on    record  of  their  rendering  aid   to  persons  in   danger  of  drowning,  and 

establishing  communication  with  wrecked  vessels  and  the  shore. 

MASTIFFS  are  looked  on  as  one  of  the  national  breeds.      Their   commanding  presence  and 

stately    manner    make    them    highly    suitable    as    guards,    and    they    are   credited    with    much 

attachment    and     devotion    to    their    owners. 

The   colours   are   mostly  shades   of  fawn  with      f 

black  muzzle,  or  shades  of  brindle.     I  am  able 

to   give  the  portrait  of  one  of  the  best  speci- 
mens living,  belonging  to  Mr.  K.  Leadbetter. 
BULL-DOGS  are  also  regarded  as  a  national 

breed.      They   are  at  present  in  high  favour. 

The   sizes  and  colours   are    so  various  that  all 

tastes    can    be    satisfied.     Recently   there    has 

been    a   fancy   for    toy   bull-dogs,    limited    to 

22    Ibs.    in   weight,  mostly  with    upright  ears 

of    tulip    shape.         In     spite    of    the    many 

aspersions    on    their   character,    bull-dogs    are 

usually    easy-going    and    good-tempered,    and 

are  often  very  fastidious  feeders — what  fanciers 

call  "  bad  doers." 


Photo  by  Fratelli  Alinari]  [Florence. 

GREAT   DANE. 

This  shows  a  typical  specimen  of  this  breed,  with   cropped   ears,   which    will   be   dis 
continued  in  show  dogs. 


Photo  by  T.  Fall] 


[Baker  Street. 


DACHSHUND. 


The  photograph  conveys  a  fair  idea  of  these  quaint  dogs. 

14 


io6 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


ROUGH  COLLIES  are  very 
graceful,  interesting  creatures, 
and  stand  first  in  intelligence 
amongst  canines.  They  are 
highly  popular.  Several  have 
been  sold  for  over  £1,000, 
and  the  amounts  in  prize- 
money  and  fees  obtained  by 
some  of  the  "  cracks  "  would 
surprise  persons  not  in  "the 
fancy."  A  high-bred  specimen 
"  in  coat "  is  most  beautiful. 
The  colours  most  favoured  are 
sables  with  white  markings ; 
but  black,  white,  and  tans, 
known  as  "tricolors,"  are 

pleasing  and  effective.     I  quite  hoped  to  give  a  portrait  of  one  of  the  most  perfect  of  present- 
day  champions,  belonging  to  H.H.  the  Princess  de  Montglyon,  but  could  not  find  room. 

SMOOTH  COLLIES  are  a  handsome  breed,  full  of  grace,  beauty,  and  intelligence,  and  very 
active  and  lively.  A  favourite  colour  is  merle,  a  sort  of  lavender,  with  black  markings  and 
tan  and  white  in  parts,  usually  associated  with  one  or  both  eyes  china-coloured.  Specimens 
often  win  in  sheep-dog  trials  ;  a  bitch  of  mine  won  many  such,  and  was  more  intelligent  in 
other  ways  than  many  human  beings. 

OLD  ENGLISH  SHEEP-DOGS  are  a  most  fascinating  breed,  remarkably  active,  possessed  of 
much  endurance  and  resource,  and  very  faithful  and  affectionate.  I  have  often  made  long 


Photo  by  Kitchener  Portrait  Co. 


DALMATIANS. 


All  are  typical,  but  the  first  is  the  best  in  quality  and  markings. 


Photo  by  T.  Fall] 


NEWFOUNDLAND. 
The  dog  shown  here  gives  a  good  idea  of  size  and  character,  but  is  not  in  best  coat 


[Baker  Street 


The    Dog    Family 


107 


journeys  through  cross-country  roads  accompanied  by  one  or  more  of  them,  and  never 
knew  them  miss  me,  even  on  the  darkest  night  or  in  the  crowded  streets  of  a  large  town. 
The  favourite  colour  is  pigeon-blue,  with  white  collar  and  markings.  The  coat  should  be 
straight  and  hard  in  texture.  The  illustration  is  from  a  portrait  of  one  of  the  best  bitches 
ever  shown,  belonging  to  Sir  H.  de  Trafford. 

DALMATIANS  are  always  white,  with  black,  liver,  or  lemon  spots,  the  size  of  a  shilling  or 
less,  evenly  distributed  over  the  body,  head,  ears,  and  even  tail,  and  pure,  without  mixture 
of  white.  There  is  much  of  the  pointer  about  this  variety,  which  has  long  been  used  for 
sporting  purposes  on  the  continent  of  Europe.  I  can  testify  to  their  many  good  qualities 
as  companions  and  house-dogs.  To  quote  again  from  the  article  above  mentioned :  "  It  is 
commonly  believed  that  the  spotted  carriage-dogs  once  so  frequently  kept  in  England  were 


BULL-DOGS. 

The  photograph  is  remarkably  good  and  characteristic  of  this  variety. 


[Baker  Street. 


about  the  most  useless  creatures  of  the  dog  kind,  maintained  only  for  show  and  fashion. 
This  is  a  mistake.  They  were  used  at  a  time  when  a  travelling-carriage  carried,  besides  its 
owners,  a  large  amount  of  valuable  property,  and  the  dog  watched  the  carriage  at  night 
when  the  owners  were  sleeping  at  country  inns.  We  feel  we  owe  an  apology  to  the  race  of 
carriage-dogs.  .  .  .  While  this  dog  is  becoming  extinct,  in  spite  of  his  useful  qualities,  other  breeds 
are  invading  spheres  of  work  in  which  they  had  formerly  no  part."  There  is  only  one  point  in 
which  I  differ  from  the  above,  and  that  is  contained  in  the  last  sentence.  There  are  a  number 
of  enthusiastic  breeders  very  keen  on  reviving  interest  in  this  variety,  and  I  have  during  the  last 
few  years  had  large  entries  to  judge,  so  that  we  shall  probably  see  more  of  them  in  the  future. 

POODLES  are  of  many  sizes  and  colours.  They  are  very  intelligent,  easily  taught  tricks, 
and  much  used  as  performing  dogs.  They  have  various  kinds  of  coats :  corded,  in  which 
the  hair  hangs  in  long  strands  or  ringlets ;  curly,  with  a  profusion  of  short  curls  all  over 


io8 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


OLD   ENGLISH   SHEEP-DOG. 


them,  something  like  retrievers ;  and  fluffy, 
when  the  hair  is  combed  out,  to  give  much 
the  appearance  of  fleecy  wool.  A  part  of 
the  body,  legs,  head,  and  tail  is  usually 
shorn. 

BULL-TERRIERS  are  now  bred  with 
small  natural  drooping  ears,  and  should 
have  long  wedge-shaped  heads,  fine  coats, 
and  long  tails.  There  is  also  a  toy  variety, 
which  hitherto  has  suffered  from  round 
skulls  and  tulip  ears,  but  is  rapidly  im- 
proving. I  have  bred  many  as  small  as 
3  Ibs.  in  weight.  In  each  variety  the 
colour  preferred  is  pure  white,  without  any 
markings,  and  with  fine  tapering  tails. 

IRISH  TERRIERS  are  very  popular,  and 
should  be  nearly  wholly  red  in  colour,  with 
long  lean  heads,  small  drooping  ears,  hard 

This  is  a  remarkably  fine  photograph  of  a  well-known  specimen  of  this 

interesting  variety.  COatS,        not       tOO       much       leg,        and       Without 

coarseness.     They  make  good  comrades. 

BEDLINGTON  TERRIERS  have  long  been  popular  in  the  extreme  north  of  England,  and  are 
another  fighting  breed.  It  is  indeed  often  difficult  to  avoid  a  difference  of  opinion  between 
show  competitors.  Their  lean  long  heads,  rather  domed  skulls,  with  top-knot  of  lighter  hair, 
long  pointed  ears,  and  small  dark  eyes,  give  them  a  peculiar  appearance.  The  coats,  which 
are  "  linty "  in  texture,  should  be  shades  of  blue  or  liver. 

Three  breeds,  all  more  or  less  hard  in  coat-texture,  and  grizzled  in  colour  on  heads  and 
bodies,  while  tanned  on  other  parts,  are  AIREDALE,  OLD  ENGLISH,  and  WELSH  TERRIERS,  which 
may  be  divided  into  large,  medium,  and  small.  The  first-named  make  very  good  all-round 
dogs ;  the  Old  .English,  less  in  number,  make  useful  dogs,  and  are  hardy  and  companionable ; 
while  Welsh  terriers  are  much  the  size  of  a  small  wire-haired  fox-terrier,  but  usually  shorter 
and  somewhat  thicker  in  the  head.  I  intended  one  of  Mr.  W.  S.  Glynn's  best  dogs  to 
illustrate  the  last-named. 

FOX-TERRIERS  are  both  smooth-  and  wire-haired.  Their  convenient  size  and  lively  tempera- 
ment make  them  very  popular  as  pets  and  companions  for  both  sexes  and  all  ages.  The 

colour  is  invariably  white,  with  or  without 
markings  on  head  or  body,  or  both. 

BLACK-AND-TAN  and  WHITE  •  ENGLISH 
TERRIERS  are  built  upon  the  same  lines, 
differing  chiefly  in  colour,  the  former  being 
raven-black,  with  tan  markings  on  face,  legs, 
and  some  lower  parts  of  the  body,  and  the 
latter  pure  white  all  over.  Both  should  have 
small  natural  drooping  ears,  fine  glossy  coats, 
and  tapering  sterns.  The  toy  variety  of  the 
former  should  be  a  miniature  of  the  larger,  and 
is  very  difficult  to  produce  of  first-class  quality. 
SCOTTISH  TERRIERS  are  very  interesting, 
often  with  much  "  character "  about  them. 
The  usual  colours  are  black,  shades  of  grey, 

MASTIFF  or   brindle,    but   some   are   seen  fawn,  stone- 

colour,  and  white.     The  ears  should  be  carried 

The  photograph  gives  almost  an  ideal  picture  of  this  national  breed,  the 

colour  i>eing  known  as  biack-brindie.  bolt  upright,  the  coat  as  hard  as   a  badger's, 


L 

Photo  by  Lambert  Lambert]  [Hath. 

DEER-HOUND. 
This  is  a  capital  portrait  of  one  of  the  best  of  this  graceful  variety. 


Photo  by  H.  Cornish]  \_Crediton. 

POINTER. 
This  is  a  young  dog  not  yet  shown,  but  full  of  quality  and  type. 


Photo  by  VUliers  &  Sons]  [Newport. 

SKYE   TERRIER. 
The  photograph  is  of  a  well-known  winner  in  show  form. 


Photo  by  T.  Fall]  [Baker  Street. 

CORDED   POODLE. 
The  length  of  the  cords  of  which  the  coat  is  composed  is  clearly  shown. 


By  permission  of  Mrs.  Hall-  Walker. 

POMERANIAN. 
Probably  about  the  best  all-black  Toy  Pomeranian  ever  shown. 


A  smart  picture  of  one  of  tho  best  of  these  popular  dogs. 


Photo  by  G.  y.  Taylor]  [Cowley  Road.  Photo  by  E.  Landor] 

MALTESE  TOY  TERRIER.  BUTTERFLY-DOG. 

A  very  excellent  representation  of  one  of   the  best  specimens  of  The  photograph  gives  an  excellent  idea  of  this  somewhat  rare  variety, 
the  present  day. 

109 


no 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


Pltoto  by  T.  Fall}  [Baker  Street. 

HER  MAJESTY  QUEEN   ALEXANDRA,   WITH   CHOW  AND 

JAPANESE  SPANIELS. 
A  group  which  will  be  studied  with  much  interest  by  all. 


teeth  even,  small  dark  expressive  eyes,  fore 
legs  straight,  the  back  short.  One  I  brought 
from  Skye  many  years  since  I  took  with  me 
when  driving  some  miles  into  the  country; 
coming  back  by  a  different  route,  he  missed 
me;  but  on  nearing  my  starting-point  I 
found  him  posted  at  a  juncture  of  four  roads, 
by  one  of  which  I  must  return.  He  could 
not  have  selected  a  better  position.  The 
illustration  is  that  of  a  first-rate  specimen  of 
the  variety,  "Champion  Balmacron  Thistle." 

DANDIE  DINMONT  TERRIERS  have  many 
quaint  and  charming  ways.  They  are  very 
strongly  built,  being  among  the  most  muscular 
of  the  terriers,  of  high  courage,  devotedly 
attached  to  their  owners,  and  admirably 
adapted  for  companions,  being  suitable  for 
indoors  or  out,  and  at  home  anywhere.  The 
colours  are  pepper  (a  sort  of  darkish  iron- 
grey)  and  mustard  (a  yellowish  red-fawn), 
both  with  white  silky  hair  on  head,  called 
the  top-knot,  and  lustrous  dark  eyes,  very 
gipsy-like  and  independent  in  expression. 

SKYES,  both  PRICK-  and  DROP-EARED,  are 
another  Scottish  breed  which  well  deserve  their  popularity,  as  they  are  thorough  sporting 
animals.  The  colours  are  chiefly  shades  of  dark  or  light  grey,  but  sometimes  fawn  with  dark 
points  and  whites  are  seen.  The  texture  of  coat  should  be  hard  and  weather-resisting ;  the 
eyes  dark  and  keen  in  expression ;  bodies  long,  low,  and  well  knit ;  legs  straight  in  front ;  even 
mouths  ;  tails  carried  gaily,  but  not  curled  over  the  back. 

SCHIPPERKES  are  of  Belgian  origin.  To  those  who  do  not  know  them,  they  are  something 
like  medium-sized  Pomeranians,  short  of  coat,  but  without  tails.  They  are  nearly  always  pure 
black  in  colour,  with  coats  of  hardish  texture,  fullest  round  the  neck  and  shoulders,  the  ears 
standing  straight  up  like  darts,  short  cobby  bodies,  and  straight  legs.  They  make  smart  guards 
and  companions. 

CHOWS  originally  came  from  China,  but  are  now  largely  bred  here.  They  are  square-built 
sturdy  dogs,  with  dense  coats,  tails  carried  over  the  side,  blunt-pointed  ears,  and  rather  short 

thick  heads.  They  have  a  little  of  a  large  coarse  Pomeranian, 
with  something  of  an  Eskimo  about  them,  but  are  different 
from  either,  with  a  type  of  their  own.  The  colour  is  usually 
some  shade  of  red  or  black,  often  with  a  bluish  tinge  in  it. 
One  marked  peculiarity  is  that  the  tongues  of  chows  are 
blue-black  in  colour. 

POMERANIANS  can  be  procured  of  any  weight  from  3  to 
30  Ibs.,  and  of  almost  every  shade  of  colour.  At  present 
brown  of  various  shades  is  much  in  favour,  but  there  are 
many  beautiful  whites,  blacks,  blues,  sables,  and  others.  They 
are  very  sharp  and  lively,  and  make  charming  pets  and 
companions.  Really  good  "specimens  command  high  prices. 
The  illustration  is  of  one  of  the  best  of  his  colour  ever  seen — 

Photo  by  T.  Fall]  [Baker  Street.  "Champion    Pippin." 

SAND-DOG.  PUGS,   both  fawn   and  black,  are  old-fashioned  favourite? 

A  quaint  picture  of  a  quaint  variety,  quite  hair-  •     .  i  •,.        .  rriu  v        u  i. 

less,  and  much  the  colour  of  Castuie  soap.          V61T  quaint  and  peculiar  in  appearance.    They  should  have  square 


The    Dog    Family 


111 


heads  and  muzzles,  with  small  ears,  large  protruding  eyes, 
short  thick  bodies,  and  tails  tightly  curled  over  the  back.  The 
illustration,  "Duchess  of  Connaught,"  is  of  a  well-known  winner. 

MALTESE  TERRIERS  are  very  beautiful  when  pure  bred. 
They  have  a  long  straight  coat  of  silky  white  hair  nearly 
reaching  the  ground,  black  nose  and  eyes,  and  the  tail  curled 
over  the  back  of  their  short  cobby  body.  Their  beauty  well 
repays  the  trouble  of  keeping  them  in  good  condition.  The 
illustration,  from  a  photograph  taken  for  this  article,  is  that 
of  the  high-class  dog  "  Santa  Klaus." 

YORKSHIRE  TOY  TERRIERS,  with  their  steel-blue  bodies 
and  golden-tanned  faces,  legs,  and  lower  parts,  and  long 
straight  coats,  require  skilful  attention  to  keep  in  order,  but 
are  very  attractive  as  pets. 

TOY  SPANIELS  are  very  old  members  of  the  toy  division, 
dating  from  or  before  the  time  of  His  Majesty  King  Charles  : 
KING  CHARLES  SPANIELS  being  black  and  tan ;  PRINCE 
CHARLES  SPANIELS  black,  white,  and  tan ;  another  strain, 
the  BLENHEIM,  white,  with  shades  of  reddish-tan  markings 
on  the  head  and  body,  and  a  spot  of  same  colour  on  fore- 
head ;  and  the  RUBY,  a  rich  coppery  red  all  over.  They 

should  be  small   and    stout  in    size   and    shape,  without  coarseness,  long  in  the   ear,  with    large 
full  protruding  eyes  of  dark  colour,  a  short  face,  a  straight  coat,  and  not  leggy. 

JAPANESE  SPANIELS  carry  heavy  coats,  usually  black,  or  yellow,  and  white  in  colour,  shorter 
in  the  ears,  which  are  carried  more  forward  than  in  the  last-named,  broader  in  the  muzzle,  with 
nearly  flat  faces,  dark  eyes,  and  bushy  tails  carried  over  the  back.     They  have  very  short  legs 
and    their  hair  nearly  reaches  the  ground  as  they  walk.      When  I  kept   them  they  were  .much 
larger  in  size,  but  they  are  often  now  produced  under  6  Ibs.  in  weight. 

PEKIN  SPANIELS,  the  last  of  the  toy  spaniels  I  need  mention,  come  from  China.  They 
should  have  soft  fluffy  coats,  tails  inclined  to  turn  over  the  back,  short  faces,  broad  muzzles, 
large  lustrous  eyes,  and  a  grave,  dignified  expression.  The  colour  is  usually  some  shade  of 
tawny  fawn  or  drab,  but  I  have  seen  them  black  and  dark  brown ;  whatever  colour,  it  should  be 
without  white.  The  illustration,  Mrs.  Lindsay's  "  Tartan  Plaid,"  was  one  of  the  early  importations. 


Photo  by  County  of  Gloucester  Studio,  Clidtenham. 

PUG  AND   PEKINESE   SPANIEL. 

A  typical  portrait  of  two  well-known  winners  in 

these  popular  varieties. 


Photo  by  C.  Reid] 


FOX-TERRIER. 
A  picture  full  of  life  and  go — at  present  odds  :a  favour  of  our  friend  with  the  prickly  coat. 


[  Wishaic,  N.B. 


112 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


Photo  by  H.  Lanavr'j 


BLENHEIM   AND   PRINCE  CHARLES   SPANIELS. 
This  little  group  will  serve  to  show  the  appearance  of  these  charming  little  pets. 


[Baling. 


ITALIAN  GREYHOUNDS,  another  old-fashioned  variety  of  toy  dog,  should  not  exceed  12  Ibs. 
in  weight,  but  in  my  opinion  are  better  if  they  are  some  pounds  less.  Much  like  miniature 
greyhounds  in  shape  and  build,  they  are  elegant,  graceful  little  creatures,  very  sensitive  to 
cold.  Shades  of  fawn,  cream,  or  French  grey  are  most  common ;  but  some  are  slate-blue, 
chestnut-red,  and  other  tints.  Of  late  years  the  breed  has  met  with  more  encouragement,  and 
there  is  less  fear  of  its  being  allowed  to  die  out. 

GRIFFONS  BRUSSELOIS  have  been  greatly  taken  up  the  last  few  years.  They  are  something 
like  Yorkshire  toy  terriers  in  size  and  shape,  but  with  a  shortish  harsh  coat,  generally  of  some 
shade  of  reddish  brown,  very  short  face,  small  shining  dark  eyes,  heavy  under-jaw,  short  thick 
body,  and  an  altogether  comical  appearance.  Imported  specimens,  particularly  before  reaching 
maturity,  are  often  difficult  to  rear. 

The  AFRICAN  SAND-DOG  occasionally  seen  in  this  country  (mostly  at  shows)  is  remarkable 
for  being  entirely  hairless,  except  a  few  hairs  of  a  bristly  character  on  the  top  of  the  head 


and  a  slight  tuft  at  the  end  of 
or  mottled  in  colour,  something 
black-and-tan  terrier,  and  very 
Having  been  supplied  with 
I  will  say  a  few  words  about  this 
numbers  at  Constantinople  and 
roam  about  unclaimed,  and  act  as 
said  to  divide  the  places  they 
each  with  its  own  leader,  and 
authority.  I  have  known  cases 
mined  attack  on  travellers  out 
rather  a  cowardly  race,  and  easily 
the  part  of  the  attacked.  Prob- 
of  the  dogs  so  often  mentioned 
and,  among  Eastern  peoples,  to 
the  most  insulting  epithet  that 
ancient  times,  the  dog  never  seems 
in  hunting  and  pursuing  game 
guardian  of  their  flocks,  herds,  and 


Pkoto  by  the  Duchess  of  Bedford, 
Woburn  Abbey. 

PARIAH  PUPPIES. 
This  capital  photograph  of  a  variety 
seldom  seen  in  this   country  will  be 
very  interesting. 


the  tail ;  it  is  chiefly  blue-black 
in  shape  and  size  like  a  coarse 
susceptible  to  cold, 
an  illustration  of  PARIAH  PUPPIES, 
variety,  which  is  seen  in  large 
other  Eastern  cities,  where  they 
amateur  scavengers ;  they  are 
inhabit  into  districts  or  beats, 
resent  any  interference  with  their 
where  they  have  made  a  deter- 
late  at  night;  but  they  are 
repulsed  with  a  little  firmness  on 
ably  these  are  the  descendants 
in  Scripture  with  opprobrium ; 
call  a  man  "  a  dog  "  is  even  now 
can  be  used.  By  the  Jews,  in 
to  have  been  used,  as  with  us, 
and  wild  animals,  but  merely  as  a 
sometimes  dwellings. 


Photo  by  Ottomar  Anschiitz] 


COMMON   BROWN  BEAR. 

In  Scandinavia  a  few  still  haunt  the  highest  mountain-ridges,  as  here  shown 
113 


{Berlin. 


15 


CHAPTER    VI. 


THE  BEARS. 

Ij  EXCEPT  the  great  cats,  no  creatures  have  longer  held  a  place  in 
fij  human  interest  than  the  BEARS.  Their  size  and  formidable 
equipment  of  claws  and  teeth  give  the  touch  of  fear  which 
goes  with  admiration.  On  the  other  hand,  they  do  not,  as  a  rule, 
molest  human  beings,  who  see  them  employing  their  great  strength 
on  apparently  insignificant  objects  with  some  amusement.  Except 
one  species,  most  bears  are  largely  fruit  and  vegetable  feeders.  The 
sloth-bear  of  India  sucks  up  ants  and  grubs  with  its  funnel-like 
lips ;  the  Malayan  bear  is  a  honey-eater  by  profession,  scarcely 
touching  other  food  when  it  can  get  the  bees'  store ;  and  only  the 
great  polar  bear  is  entirely  carnivorous.  The  grizzly  bear  of  the 
Northern  Rocky  Mountains  is  largely  a  flesh-eater,  consuming  great 
quantities  of  putrid  salmon  in  the  Columbian  rivers.  But  the  ice- 
bear  is  ever  on  the  quest  for  living  or  dead  flesh ;  it  catches  seals,  devours 
young  sea-fowl  and 
eggs,  and  can 
actually  kill  and  eat 
the  gigantic  walrus. 
Every  one  will 
have  noticed  the 
deliberate  flat- 
footed  walk  of  the 
bears.  This  is  due 
partly  to  the  for- 


Photo  by  Ottomar  Anschiitz,  Berlin. 
AN   INVITING  ATTITUDE. 

The  upright  position  is  not  natural 
to  the  brown  bear.  It  prefers  to  sit 
on  its  hams,  and  not  to  stand. 


mation  of  the  feet 
themselves.  The 
whole  sole  is  set  flat 
upon  the  ground, 
and  the  impressions 
in  a  bear's  track  are 

not  unlike  those  of  a  man's  footsteps.  The 
claws  .are  not  capable  of  being  retracted,  like 
those  of  the  Cats;  consequently  they  are 
worn  at  the  tips  where  the  curve  brings  them 
in  contact  with  the  ground.  Yet  it  is  sur- 
prising what  wounds  these  blunt  but  hard 
weapons  will  inflict  on  man — wounds  resembling 
what  might  be  caused  by  the  use  of  a  very 
large  garden-rake.  Against  other  animals 
protected  by  hair  bears'  claws  are  of  little 
use.  Dogs  would  never  attack  them  so  readily 
as  they  do  were  they  armed  with  the  talons 
of  a  leopard  or  tiger.  The  flesh-teeth  in  both 
jaws  of  the  bear  are  unlike  those  of  other 
carnivora.  The  teeth  generally  show  that 


Photo  by  Fratelli  AUnari]  {Florence. 

THREE   PERFORMING   BEARS. 

Those  on  the  right  and  left  are  Himalayan  black  bears.   The  white  collar  is 
plainly  seen. 

1H 


"5 

bears  have  a  mixed  diet. 
Bears  appear  to  have 
descended  from  some  dog- 
like  ancestor,  but  to  have 
been  much  modified. 

Except  the  ice-bear,  all 
the  species  are  short  and 
very  bulky.  It  is  said  that 
a  polar  bear  has  been  killed 
which  weighed  1,000  Ibs.  It 
is  far  the  largest,  and  most 
formidable  in  some  respects, 
of  all  the  Carnivora.  The 
claws  of  the  grizzly  bear  are 
sometimes  5  inches  long  over 
the  outer  curve.  All  bears  can 
sit  upright  on  their  hams, 
and  stand  upright  against  a 
support  like  a  tree.  Some 
can  stand  upright  with  no  aid 
at  all.  Except  the  grizzly 
bear,  they  can  all  climb,  many 
of  them  very  well.  In  the 
winter,  if  it  be  cold,  they 
hibernate.  In  the  spring, 
when  the  shoots  of  the  early 
plants  come  up,  they  emerge, 
hungry  and  thin,  to  seek  their 
food.  Bears  were  formerly 
common  in  Britain,  and  were 
exported  for  the  Eoman 
amphitheatres.  The  prehis- 
toric cave-bears  were  very 
large.  Their  remains  have 
been  found  in  Devon,  Derby- 
shire, and  other  counties. 
The  species  inhabiting  Britain  during  the  Koman  period  was  the  common  brown  bear  of  Europe. 

THE  COMMON  BROWN  BEAR. 

Only  one  species  of  bear  is  found  in  Europe  south  of  the  ice-line,  though  above  it  the  white 
ice-bear  inhabits  Spitzbergen  and  the  islands  off  the  White  Sea.  This  is  the  BROWN  BEAR,  the 
emblem  of  Eussia  in  all  European  caricature,  and  the  hero  of  innumerable  fragments  of  folk- 
lore and  fable,  from  the  tents  of  the  Lapps  to  the  nurseries  of  English  children.  Except  the 
ice-bear,  it  is  far  the  largest  of  European  carnivora,  but  varies  much  in  size.  Eussia  is 
the  main  home  of  the  brown  bear,  but  it  is  found  in  Sweden  and  Norway,  and  right  across 
Northern  Asia.  It  is  also  common  in  the  Carpathian  Mountains,  in  the  Caucasus,  and  in 
Mount  Pindus  in  Greece.  In  the  south  it  is  found  in  Spain  and  the  Pyrenees,  and  a  few 
are  left  in  the  Alps.  The  dancing-bears  commonly  brought  to  England  are  caught  in  the 
Pyrenees.  The  "  Queen's  bear,"  so  called  because  its  owner  was  allowed  to  exhibit  it  at 
Windsor,  was  one  of  these.  But  lately  dancing-bears  from  Servia  and  Wallachia  have  also 
been  seen  about  our  roads  and  streets.  In  Eussia  the  bear  grows  to  a  great  size.  Some  have 
been  killed  of  800  Ibs.  in  weight.  The  fur  is  magnificent  in  winter,  and  in  great  demand 


Photo  by  Ottomar  Anschiitz]  [Berlin. 

EUROPEAN  BROWN   BEAR. 

The  specimen  of  the  brown  bear  of  Europe  from  which  this  picture  was  taken  was  an  unusually 
light  and  active  bear.     Its  flanks  are  almost  flat. 


n6 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


Photo  by  E.  Landor] 


SYRIAN  BEAR. 
This  is  the  bear  generally  alluded  to  in  the  Old  Testament. 


for  rich  Kussians'  sledge-rugs. 
The  finest  bear-skins  of  all  are 
bought  for  the  caps  of  our 
own  Grenadier  and  Coldstream 
Guards.  In  the  Alps  the  bears 
occasionally  visit  a  cow-shed 
in  winter  and  kill  a  cow ;  but 
as  a  rule  the  only  damage 
done  by  those  in  Europe  is 
to  the  sheep  on  the  hills 
in  the  far  north  of  Norway. 
Tame  brown  bears  are  amusing 
creatures,  but  should  never  be 
trusted.  They  are  always 
liable  to  turn  savage,  and  the 
bite  is  almost  as  severe  as 
that  of  a  tiger.  Men  have 
had  their  heads  completely 
crushed  in  by  the  bite  of  one 
of  these  animals.  In  Russia 
bears  are  shot  in  the  following  manner.  When  the  snow  falls,  the  bears  retire  into  the  densest 
thickets,  and  there  make  a  half-hut,  half-burrow  in  the  most  tangled  part  to  hibernate  in. 
The  bear  is  tracked,  and  then  a  ring  made  round  the  cover  by  beaters  and  peasants.  The 
shooters  follow  the  track  and  rouse  the  bear,  which  often  charges  them,  and  is  forthwith  shot. 
If  it  escapes,  it  is  driven  in  by  the  beaters  outside.  High  fees  are  paid  to  peasants  who  send 
information  that  a  bear  is  harboured  in  this  way.  Sportsmen  in  St.  Petersburg  will  go  300 

or  400  miles  to  shoot  one  on  receipt  of  a  telegram. 

The  brown  bear,  like  the  reindeer  and  red  deer, 
is  found  very  little  modified  all  across  Northern  Asiar 
and  again  in  the  forests  of  North  America.  There, 
however,  it  undergoes  a  change.  Just  as  the  red  deer 
is  found  represented  by  a  much  larger  creature,  the 
wapiti,  so  the  brown  bear  is  found  exaggerated  into 
the  great  bear  of  Alaska.  The  species  attains  its 
largest,  possibly,  in  Kamchatka,  on  the  Asiatic  side 
of  Bering  Sea ;  but  the  Alaskan  bear  has  the  credit 
with  sportsmen  of  being  the  largest.  A  skin  of  one  of 
the  former,  brought  to  the  sale-rooms  of  Sir  Charles 
Lampson  &  Co.,  needed  two  men  to  carry  it.  Last 
spring,  in  the  sale-rooms  of  the  same  great  firm,  some 
persons  present  measured  the  skin  of  ar>  Alaskan  bear 
which  was  9  feet  across  the  shoulders  from  paw  to  paw. 

THE  GRIZZLY  BEAR. 

This  is  a  very  distinct  race  of  brown  bear.  It 
has  a  flat  profile,  like  the  polar  bear;  in  addition  it 
grows  to  a  great  size,  is  barely  able  to  climb  trees, 
and  has  the  largest  claws  of  any — they  have  been 
known  to  measure  5  inches  along  the  curve.  The 
Cent's  Park.  iv^  grizzly,  which  used  to  be  found  as  far  north  as 

LARGE   RUSSIAN   BROWN  BEAR.  />i  o     i    J.-.L     j  T  .-,  p  TUT       • 

~      .  ,  ol     latitude  and  south  as    far   as   Mexico,    is   a   rare 

The  picture  shows  to  what  a  size  and  strength  the  brown 

bear  attains.  animal   now.       Its    turn   for    cattle-killing   made    the 


The  Bears 


ranchmen  poison  it,  and  rendered  the  task  an  easy  one.  It  is  now  only  found  in  the  Northern 
Rocky  Mountains,  and  perhaps  in  North  California  and  Nevada.  Formerly  encounters  with 
"Old  Ephraim,"  as  the  trappers  called  this  bear,  were  numerous  and  deadly.  It  attacked 
men  if  attacked  by  them,  and  often  without  provocation.  The  horse,  perhaps  more  than 
its  rider,  was  the  object  of  the  bear.  Lewis  and  Clarke  measured  a  grizzly  which  was  9  feet 
long  from  nose  to  tail.  The  weight  sometimes  reaches  800  Ibs.  Measurements  of  much 
larger  grizzly  bears  have  been  recorded,  but  it  is  difficult  to  credit  them.  On  a  ranche 
near  the  upper  waters  of  the  Colorado  River  several  colts  were  taken  by  grizzly  bears. 
One  of  them  was  found  buried  according  to  the  custom  of  this  bear,  and  the  owner  sat  up 
to  shoot  the  animal.  Having  only  the  old-fashioned  small-bored  rifle  of  the  day,  excellent 
for  shooting  deer  or  Indians,  but  useless  against  so  massive  a  beast  as  this  bear,  unless  hit 
in  the  head  or  heart,  he  only  wounded  it.  The  bear  rushed  in,  struck  him  a  blow  with  its 
paw  (the  paw  measures  a  foot  across),  smashed  the  rifle  which  he  held  up  as  a  protection, 
and  struck  the  barrel  on  to  his  head.  The  man  fell  insensible,  when  the  bear,  having  satisfied 
himself  that  he  was  dead,  picked  him  up,  carried  him  off,  and  buried  him  in  another  hole 
which  it  scratched  near  the  dead  colt.  It  then  dug  up  the  colt  and  ate  part  of  it,  and  went 
off.  Some  time  later  the  man  came  to  his  senses,  and  awoke  to  find  himself  "  dead  and 
buried."  As  the  earth  was  only  roughly  thrown  over  him,  he  scrambled  out,  and  saw  close 
by  the  half-eaten  remains  of  the  colt.  Thinking  that  it  might  be  about  the  bear's  dinner- 
time, and  remembering  that  he  was  probably  put  by  in  the  larder  for  the  next  meal,  he 
hurried  home  at  once,  and  did  not  trouble  the  bear  again.  Not  so  a  Siberian  peasant,  who  had 
much  the  same  adventure.  He  had  been  laughed  at  for  wishing  to  shoot  a  bear,  and  went  out 
into  the  woods  to  do  so.  The  bear  had 
the  best  of  it,  knocked  him  down,  and 
so  frightfully  mangled  his  arm  that 
he  fainted.  Bruin  then  buried  him  in 
orthodox  bear  fashion  ;  and  the  man,  when 
he  came  to,  which  he  fortunately  did 
before  the  bear  came  back,  got  up,  and 
made  his  way  to  the  village.  There  he 
was  for  a  long  time  ill,  and  all  through 
his  sickness  and  delirium  talked  of 
nothing  but  shooting  the  bear.  When 
he  got  well,  he  disappeared  into  the  forest 
with  his  gun,  and  after  a  short  absence 
returned  with  the  bear's  skin  ! 

THE  AMERICAN  BROWN  BEAR. 
The  brown  bear  of  America  is  closely 
allied  to  that  of  Europe;  it  was  first 
described  by  Sir  John  Richardson,  who 
called  it  the  Barrenlands  Bear,  and  noted, 
quite  rightly,  that  it  differed  from  the 
grizzly  in  the  smallness  of  its  claws.  The 
difference  in  the  profile  is  very  marked— 
the  brown  bear  having  a  profile  like  that 
of  the  European  bear,  while  that  of  the 
grizzly  is  flat.  The  brown  bear  of 
North  America  lives  largely  on  the  fruits 
and  berries  of  the  northern  plants,  on 
dead  deer,  and  on  putrid  fish,  of  which 
quantities  are  left  on  the  banks  of  the 


Photo  ly  New  York  Zoological  Society. 

AMERICAN  BLACK  BEAR. 

The  black  bear  was  the  species  first  encountered  by  the  early  settlers  on  the 
Atlantic  side  of  America.     The  grizzly  belongs  to  the  Rocky  Mountain  region. 


n8 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


Photo  by  L.  Mcdland,  F.Z.S.] 

YOUNG   SYRIAN   BEAR   FROM   THE  CAUCASUS. 


[ North  Finchley. 


This  is,  properly  speaking,  a  Syrian  bear,  but  the  species  is  found  in  the  Caucasus  and  in  the  Taurus 

Range. 


northern  rivers.  Whether  the 
large  brown  bear  of  the  Rocky 
Moun tains  is  always  a  grizzly 
or  often  this  less  formidable 
race  is  doubtful.  The  writer 
inclines  to  think  that  it  is 
only  the  counterpart  of  the 
North  European  and  the 
North  Asiatic  brown  bear. 
The  following  is  Sir  Samuel 
Baker's  account  of  these  bears. 
He  says :  "  When  I  was  in 
California,  experienced  in- 
formants told  me  that  no 
true  grizzly  bear  was  to  be 
found  east  of  the  Pacific 
slope,  and  that  Lord  Coke 
was  the  only  Britisher  who 

had  ever  killed  a  real  grizzly  in  California.  There  are  numerous  bears  of  three  if  not  four 
kinds  in  the  Rocky  Mountains.  These  are  frequently  termed  grizzlies ;  but  it  is  a  misnomer. 
The  true  grizzly  is  far  superior  in  size,  but  of  similar  habits,  and  its  weight  is  from  1,200  Ibs. 
to  1,400  Ibs."  After  giving  various  reasons  for  believing  this  to  be  a  fair  weight,  Sir  Samuel 
Baker  adds  that  this  weight  is  equivalent  to  that  of  an  English  cart-horse.  There  are  certainly 
three  Rocky  Mountain  bears — the  Grizzly,  the  Brown,  and  the  small  Black  Bear.  There  is 
probably  also  another — a  cross  between  the  black  and  the  brown.  It  is  ridiculous  to  say  that 
the  brown  bears  which  come  to  eat  the  refuse  on  the  dust-heaps  of  the  hotels  in  the  Yellow- 
stone Park,  and  let  ladies  photograph  them,  are  savage  grizzly  bears. 

THE  SYRIAN  BEAR. 

This  bear,  which  figures  in  the  story  of  Elisha,  is  a  variety  of  the  brown  bear.  It  is 
found  from  the  Caucasus  to  the  mountains  of  Palestine,  and  is  a  smaller  animal  than  the  true 
brown  bear,  weighing  about  300  Ibs.  The  fur  in  summer  is  of  a  mixed  rusty  colour,  with  a 
whitish  collar  on  the  chest.  It  steals  the  grapes  on  Mount  Horeb,  and  feeds  upon  ripe  fruits, 
apples,  chestnuts,  corn,  and  the  like.  It  is  then  ready  to  face  the  long  winter  sleep. 

THE  AMERICAN  BLACK  BEAR. 

This  is  the  smallest  North  American  species,  and  perhaps  the  most  harmless.  It  seldom 
weighs  more  than  400  Ibs.  Its  coat  is  short  and  glossy,  and  its  flesh,  especially  in  autumn,  is 
esteemed  for  food.  The  early  backwoodsmen  found  it  a  troublesome  neighbour.  The  bears 
liked  Indian  corn,  and  were  not  averse  to  a  young  pig.  "  Like  the  deer,"  says  Audubon,  "  it 
changes  its  haunts  with  the  seasons,  and  for  the  same  reason — viz.  the  desire  of  obtaining  food. 
During  the  spring  months  it  searches  for  food  in  the  low  alluvial  lands  that  border  the  rivers, 
or  by  the  margins  of  the  inland  lakes.  There  it  procures  abundance  of  succulent  roots,  and  of 
the  tender,  juicy  stems  of  plants,  upon  which  it  chiefly  feeds  at  that  season.  During  the 
summer  heat  it  enters  the  gloomy  swamps,  and  passes  much  of  its  time  in  wallowing  in  the 
mud  like  a  hog,  and  contents  itself  with  crayfish,  roots,  and  nettles;  now  and  then,  when 
hard  pressed  by  hunger,  it  seizes  a  young  pig,  or  perhaps  a  sow  or  calf.  As  soon  as  the 
different  kinds  of  berries  ripen,  the  bears  betake  themselves  to  the  high  grounds,  followed  by 
their  cubs.  In  much-retired  parts  of  the  country,  where  there  are  no  hilly  grounds,  it  pays 
visits  to  the  maize-fields,  which  it  ravages  for  a  while.  After  this  the  various  kinds  of  nuts 
and  grapes,  acorns  and  other  forest  fruits,  attract  its  attention.  The  black  bear  is  then  seen 


The    Bears 


119 


wandering  through  the  woods   to  gather   this    harvest,  not   forgetting   to   rob    every   tree  which 
it  comes   across." 

THE  INDIAN  SLOTH-BEAR. 

Few  people  would  believe  that  this  awkward  and  ugly  beast  is  so  formidable  as  it  is.  It 
is  the  commonest  Indian  species,  seldom  eats  flesh,  prefers  sucking  up  the  contents  of  a  white 
ants'  nest  to  any  other  meal,  and  is  not  very  large ;  from  200  Ibs.  to  300  Ibs.  is  the  weight  of 
a  male.  But  the  skull  and  jaws  are  very  strong,  and  the  claws  long  and  curved.  As  they  are 
used  almost  like  a  pickaxe  when  the  bear  wishes  to  dig  in  the  hardest  soil,  their  effect  upon 
the  human  body  can  be  imagined. 

Sir  Samuel  Baker  says  that  there  are  more  accidents  to  natives  of  India  and  Ceylon  from 
this  species  than  from  any  other  animal. 

Mr.    Watts   Jones  writes    an  interesting  account  of   his    sensations   while   being   bitten  by 


Photo  ly  C.  Reid] 


\_Wishaw,  N.B. 


A  BROWN  BEAR   IN  SEARCH   OF   INSECTS. 
The  photograph  shows  a  bear  feeding  on  insects,  possibly  large  ants,  which  he  licks  up  from  the  ground,  after  scratching  them  out  with  his  claws. 

one  of  these  bears  :  "  I  was  following  up  a  bear  which  I  had  wounded,  and  rashly  went  to  the 
mouth  of  a  cave  to  which  it  had  got.  It  charged.  I  shot,  but  failed  to  stop  it.  I  do  not  know 
exactly  what  happened  next,  neither  does  my  hunter  who  was  with  me ;  but  I  believe,  from  the 
marks  in  the  snow,  that  in  his  rush  the  bear  knocked  me  over  backwards — in  fact,  knocked  me 
three  or  four  feet  away.  When  next  I  remember  anything,  the  bear's  weight  was  on  me,  and 
he  was  biting  my  leg.  He  bit  two  or  three  times.  I  felt  the  flesh  crush,  but  I  felt  no  pain 
at  all.  It  was  rather  like  having  a  tooth  out  with  gas.  I  felt  no  particular  terror,  though  I 
thought  the  bear  had  got  me;  but  in  a  hazy  sort  of  way  I  wondered  when  he  would  kill  me, 
and  thought  what  a  fool  I  was  to  get  killed  by  a  stupid  beast  like  a  bear.  The  shikari  then 
very  pluckily  came  up  and  fired  a  shot  into  the  bear,  and  he  left  me.  I  felt  the  weight  lift 
off  me,  and  got  up.  I  did  not  think  I  was  much  hurt.  N.  .  .  The  main  wound  was  a  flap  of 
flesh  torn  out  of  the  inside  of  my  left  thigh  and  left  hanging.  It  was  fairly  deep,  and  I  could 
see  all  the  muscles  working  underneath  when  I  lifted  it  up  to  clean  the  wound."  This  anecdote 


12O 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


was  sent  to  Mr.  J.  Growth er  Hirst  to  illustrate  a 
theory  of  his,  that  the  killing  of  wild  animals  by 
other  animals  is  not  a  painful  one. 

Rustem  Pasha,  once  Turkish  Ambassador  in 
England,  had  an  accident  when  brown  bear  shooting 
in  Russia,  and  writes  of  it  in  the  same  sense  :  "  When 
I  met  the  accident  alluded  to,  the  bear  injured 
both  my  hands,  but  did  not  tear  off  part  of  the 
arm  or  shoulder.  In  the  moment  of  desperate 
struggle,  the  intense  excitement  and  anger  did, 
in  fact,  render  me  insensible  to  the  feeling  of 
actual  pain  as  the  bear  gnawed  my  left  hand, 
which  was  badly  torn  and  perforated  with  holes, 
most  of  the  bones  being  broken." 

There  is  good  reason  to  believe  that  when 
large  carnivora,  or  beasts  large  in  proportion  to 
the  size  of  their  victims,  strike  and  kill  them 
with  a  great  previous  shock,  the  sense  of  pain 
is  deadened.  Not  so  if  the  person  or  animal  is 
seized  quietly.  Then  the  pain  is  intense,  though 
sometimes  only  momentary.  A  tigress  seized 
Mr.  J.  Hansard,  a  forest  officer  in  Ceylon,  by  the 
neck.  In  describing  his  sensations  afterwards,  he 
said :  "  The  agony  I  felt  was  something  frightful. 
My  whole  skull  seemed  as  if  it  were  being  crushed 
to  atoms  in  the  jaws  of  the  great  brute.  I 
certainly  felt  the  most  awful  pain  as  she  was  biting 
my  neck  ;  but  not  afterwards,  if  I  can  remember." 
Sir  Samuel  Baker  says  he  has  twice  seen  the  sloth-bear  attack  a  howdah-elephant.  Lord  Edward 
St.  Maur,  son  of  the  Duke  of  Somerset,  was  killed  by  one.  Mr.  Sanderson,  the  head  of  the 
Government  Elephant-catching  Department,  used  to  hunt  bears  in  the  jungle  with  bull-terriers. 
Against  these  the  bear  was  unable  to  make  a  good  fight.  They  seized  it  by  the  nose ;  and 
as  its  claws  were  not  sharp  like  those  of  the  leopard,  the  bear  could  not  get  them  off. 

This  bear  seldom  produces  more  than  two  or  three  young  at  a  birth.  The  young  cub 
is  very  ugly,  but  very  strong,  especially  in  the  claws  and  legs.  A  six  weeks'  old  cub  has  been 
turned  upside-down  in  a  basket,  which  was  shaken  violently,  without  dislodging  the  little  animal 
clinging  inside. 

THE    ISABELLINE   BEAR   AND    HIMALAYAN   BLACK   BEAR. 

The  former  animal  is  a  medium-sized  variety  of  the  brown  bear.  The  coat  in  winter  is 
of  a  beautiful  silver-tipped  cinnamon  colour.  The  HIMALAYAN  BLACK  BEAR  has  a  half-moon 
of  white  on  its  throat.  The  habits  of  both  do  not  differ  markedly  from  those  of  the  brown 
bear  of  Europe. 

Recently  black  bears  have  been  most  troublesome  in  Kashmir,  attacking  and  killing  and 
wounding  the  woodcutters  with  no  provocation.  Dr.  E.  T.  Vere,  writing  from  Srinagar,  says  : 
"Every  year  we  have  about  half  a  dozen  patients  who  have  been  mauled  by  bears.  Most  of 
our  people  who  are  hurt  are  villagers  or  shepherds.  Bears  have  been  so  shot  at  in  Kashmir 
that,  although  not  naturally  very  fierce,  they  have  become  truculent.  When  they  attack  men, 
they  usually  sit  up  and  knock  the  victim  over  with  a  paw.  They  then  make  one  or  two  bites 
at  the  arm  or  leg,  and  often  finish  up  with  a  snap  at  the  head.  This  is  the  most  dangerous 
part  of  the  attack.  One  of  our  fatal  cases  this  year  was  a  boy,  the  vault  of  whose  skull  was 
torn  off  and  lacerated.  Another  man  received  a  compound  fracture  of  the  cranium.  A  third 


Photo  by  Fratelli  Alinari]  [Florence. 

POLAR  BEAES. 

Though  Arctic  animals,  polar  bears  can  endure  great  heat. 
During  a  "  heat  wave  "  at  Hamburg,  Herr  C.  Hagenbeck  found 
two  of  his  leopards  suffering  from  heat  apoplexy,  but  the  polar 
bears  were  enjoying  the  sun. 


Photo  ly  Fratelli  Alinari]  [Florence. 

TWO  POLAR  BEARS  AND  A  BROWN   BEAR. 

Although  this  is  a  photograph  from  life,  it  is  scarcely  a  very  natural  scene  ;  as  a  matter  of  fact,  all  three  animals  belong  to  Herr  Carl  Hagenbeck's 

remarkable  menagerie. 

121  16 


122 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


Photo  by  J.  W.  McLellan] 


(Highbury. 


POLAR  BEAR. 

This  beards  the. most  formidable  of  all  aquatic  mammals.     It  is  almost  as  much  at  home 
in  the  water  as  a  seal. 


had  the  bones  of  his  face  smashed 
and  lacerated.  He  had  an  axe, 
but  said,  '  When  the  bear  sat  up, 
my  courage  failed  me.' " 

THE  MALAYAN  SUN-BEAR. 

These  small,  smooth-coated 
bears  have  a  yellow  throat-patch 
like  a  mustard  plaster,  and  are 
altogether  the  most  amusing 
and  comical  of  all  the  tribe. 
They  are  almost  as  smooth  as  a 
pointer  dog,  and  are  devoted  to 
all  sweet  substances  which  can 
be  a  substitute  for  honey,  their 
main  delicacy  when  wild.  There 
are  always  a  number  of  these 
bears  at  the  Zoo  incessantly 
begging  for  food.  When  one 
gets  a  piece  of  sugar,  he  cracks 
it  into  small  pieces,  sticks  them 

on  the  back  of  his  paw,  and  licks  the  mess  until  the  paw  is  covered  with  sticky  syrup, 
which  he  eats  with  great  gusto.  This  bear  is  found  in  the  Malay  Peninsula,  Borneo, 
Sumatra,  and  Java.  It  is  only  4  feet  high,  or  sometimes  half  a  foot  taller.  It  is  more  in 
the  habit  of  walking  upright  than  any  other  species. 

THE  POLAR  BEAR. 

ICE-BEAR  is  the  better  name  for  this,  the  most  interesting  in  its  habits  of  all  the 
bears.  It  is  an  inhabitant  of  the  lands  of  polar  darkness  and  intense  cold,  and  one  of 
the  very  few  land  animals  which  never  try  to  avoid  the  terrible  ordeal  of  the  long  Arctic 
night,  which  rolls  on  from  month  to  month.  It  can  swim  and  dive  nearly  as  well  as  a  seal, 
climbs  the  icebergs,  and  goes  voyages  on  the  drifting  ice,  floating  hundreds  of  miles  on  the 
polar  currents,  and  feeding  on  the  seals  which  surround  it.  Of  the  limits  of  size  of  the 
ice-bear  it  is  impossible  to  speak  with  certainty.  From  the  skins  brought  to  this  country 
the  size  of  some  of  them  must  be  enormous.  One  which  lived  for  more  than  thirty  years 
at  the  Zoo  was  of  immense  length  and  bulk.  When  the  first  discoverers  went  to  the  Arctic 
Seas,  dressed  in  thick  clothes  and  skins,  the  polar  bears  took  them  for  seals.  On  Bear  Island, 
below  Spitsbergen,  a  Dutch  sailor  sat  down  on  the  snow  to  rest.  A  bear  walked  up  behind 
him,  and  seized  and  crushed  his  head,  evidently  not  in  the  least  aware  of  what  kind  of  animal 
it  had  got  hold  of.  When  the  Jackson-Harmsworth  Expedition  was  wintering  in  Franz-Josef 
Land,  the  bears  were  a  positive  nuisance.  They  were  not  afraid  of  man,  and  used  to  come 
round  the  huts  at  all  hours.  The  men  shot  so  many  that  they  formed  a  valuable  article  of  food 
for  the  dogs.  The  flesh  is  said  to  be  unwholesome  for  men.  The  power  of  these  bears  in  the 
water  is  wonderful ;  though  so  bulky,  they  are  as  light  as  a  cork  when  swimming,  and  their 
strong,  broad  feet  are  first-class  paddles.  Whenever  a  dead  whale  is  found  near  the  shore,  the 
polar  bears  assemble  to  feed  upon  it.  In  the  various  searches  for  the  Franklin  Expedition  they 
pulled  to  pieces  nearly  all  the  cabins  erected  to  hold  provisions  for  the  sledge-parties.  In 
one  case  it  was  found  that  the  bears  had  amused  themselves  by  mounting  the  roof  of  a  half- 
buried  hut,  and  sliding  down  the  snowy,  frozen  slope.  Cubs  are  often  brought  home  in  whaling- 
and  sealing-ships,  after  the  .mothers  have  been  shot.  There  is  a  ready  sale  of  them  for 
Continental  menageries.  Herr  Hagenbeck,  of  Hamburg,  by  purchasing  them  quite  young,  has 
induced  bears  to  live  on  good  terms  with  tigers,  boar-hounds,  and  leopards. 


The    Bears 


123 


The  manoeuvres  of  an  ice-bear  in  the  water  are  marvellous  to  watch.  Though  so  bulky  a 
beast,  it  swims,  dives,  rolls  over  and  over,  catches  seals  or  fish,  or  plays  both  on  and  under 
the  water  with  an  ease  and  evident  enjoyment  which  show  that  it  is  in  its  favourite  element. 
One  favourite  game  of  the  ice-bear  is  to  lie  on  its  back  in  the  water,  and  then  to  catch  hold 
of  its  hind  toes  with  its  fore  feet,  when  it  resembles  a  half-rolled  hedgehog  of  gigantic  size. 
It  then  rolls  over  and  over  in  the  water  like  a  revolving  cask.  Its  footsteps  are  absolutely 
noiseless,  as  the  claws  are  shorter  than  in  the  land-bear's,  and  more  muffled  in  fur.  This 
noiseless  power  of  approach  is  very  necessary  when  it  has  to  catch  such  wary  creatures  as 
basking  seals.  A  very  large  proportion  of  the  food  formerly  eaten  by  ice-bears  in  summer  was 
probably  putrid,  as  they  were  always  supplied  with  a  quantity  of  the  refuse  carcases  of  whales 
and  seals  left  by  the  whaling-ships.  This  may  account  for  the  bad  results  to  the  sailors  who 
ate  the  bears'  flesh.  Now  the  whaling  industry  is  so  little  pursued  that  the  bears  have  to  catch 
their  dinners  for  themselves,  and  eat  fresh  food. 


Photo  by  the  New  York  Zoological  Society. 


HALF-GROWN  POLAR  BEARS. 


When  young  polar  bears  are  brought  to  England  or  New  York  on  board  ship,  they  arrive  with  coats  almost  as  yellow  as  a  sponge.     It  takes  a 

week's  bathing  to  restore  the  pure  white  colour. 

The  Arctic  explorer  Nordenskiold  saw  much  of  the  ice-bears  on  his  voyages,  and  left  us 
what  is  perhaps  the  best  description  of  their  attempts  to  stalk  men,  mistaking  them  for  Bother 
animals  "When  the  polar  bear  observes  a  man,"  he  writes  in  his  "Voyage  of  the  Vega, 
commonly  approaches  him  as  a  possible  prey,  with  supple  movements  and  a  hundred  zigzag 
bends,  in  order  to  conceal  the  direction  he  means  to  take,  and  to  prevent  the  man  feeling 
frightened.  During  his  approach  he  often  climbs  up  on  to  blocks  of  ice  or  raises  himseli 
his  hind  legs,  in  order  to  get  a  more  extensive  view.  If  he  thinks  he  has  to ^do  With ,  a  seal 
he  creeps  or  trails  himself  forward  on  the  ice,  and  is  then  said  to  conceal  with  his  fore  paws 
the  only  part  of  his  body  that  contrasts  with  the  white  colour  of  the  snow-las  large  b  ack 
nose.  If  the  man  keeps  quite  still,  the  bear  comes  in  this  way  so  near  that  it  can  be  shot  at 
the  distance  of  two  gun-lengths,  or  killed  with  a  lance,  which  the  hunters  consider  safer 

When   a   vessel   lies   at  anchor,  a  polar  bear  sometimes   swims   out    to    it,    to    inspect    U 
visiting  ship;    it  has  also  a  special  fancy  for  breaking  open   and    searching  stores  of  provisions, 


124 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


Photo  by  G.  W.  Wilson  £  Co.,  Ltd.] 

THE  ICE-BEAR'S  COUCH. 


[Aberdeen. 


A  favourite  attitude  of  the  polar  bear  is  to  lie  stretched  on  its  stomach,  with  the  hind  and  fore 
legs  extended  flat.  The  head  often  lies  between  the  fore  paws.  Notice  the  hair  on  the  feet,  which 
keeps  the  animal  from  slipping  when  on  the  ice. 


Fl^^^___^__._^^^_|_^^^^^__— ___._|_      beats    abandoned    and 
covered    over,    and    cabins 
of    wrecked    ships.        One 
Wk  -  bear   which   had  looted    a 

provision  depot  was  found 
to  have  swallowed  a 
quantity  of  sticking- 
plaster.  The  ice-bear  has 
been  met  swimming  at  a 
distance  of  eighty  miles 
from  land,  and  with  no 
ice  in  sight.  This  shows 
how  thoroughly  aquatic 
its  habits  and  powers  are. 
Polar  bears  do  not  husf  their 

O 

victims,  like  the  brown 
bear,  but  bite,  and  use 
their  immense  feet  and 
sharp  claws.  It  has  been 
said  that  when  one  catches 
a  seal  on  the  ice  it  will 
play  with  it  as  a  cat  does  with  a  mouse.  The  size  of  these  bears  varies  very  much.  Seven 
or  eight  feet  from  the  tip  of  the  nose  to  the  tail  is  the  usual  length ;  yet  they  have  been 
known  to  exceed  even  13  feet  in  length.  This  would  correspond  to  an  immense  difference 
in  bulk  and  weight.  An  ice-bear  was  once  found  feeding  on  the  body  of  a  white  whale, 
15  feet  in  length,  and  weighing  three  or  four  tons.  The  whale  could  not  have  got  on  to 
the  ice  by  itself,  and  it  is  difficult  to  imagine  that  any  other  creature  except  the  bear  could 
have  dragged  it  there  from  the  sea,  where  it  was  found  floating.  "When  hunting  seals,  polar 
bears  will  chase  them  in  the  water  as  an  otter  does  a  fish,  but  with  what  result  is  not  known. 
Besides  stalking  them  in  the  manner  described  above,  they  will  mark  the  place  at  which  seals 
are  basking  on  the  rim  of  an  ice-floe,  and  then  dive,  and  come  up  just  at  the  spot  where  the 
seal  would  naturally  drop  into  the  water.  Those  shot  for  the  sake  of  their  skins  are  nearly  all 
killed  when  swimming  in  the  sea.  The  hunters  mark  a  bear  on  an  ice-floe,  and  approach  it. 
The  bear  always  tries  to  escape  by  swimming,  and  is  pursued  and  shot  through  the  head  from 
the  boat.  When  the  females  have  a  cub  or  cubs  with  them,  they  will  often  attack  persons 
or  boats  which  molest  them;  otherwise  they  do  not  willingly  interfere  with  man,  except,  as 
has  been  said  above,  when  they  mistake  men  for  seals  or  other  natural  prey. 

The  instances  recorded  of  the  affection  shown  by  these  animals  for  their  young  are 
somewhat  pathetic.  When  the  Carcase  frigate,  which  was  engaged  on  a  voyage  of  Arctic 
discovery,  was  locked  in  the  ice,  a  she-bear  and  two  cubs  made  their  way  to  the  ship,  attracted 
by  the  scent  of  the  blubber  of  a  walrus  which  the  crew  had  killed  a  few  days  before.  They 
ran  to  the  fire,  and  pulled  off  some  of  the  walrus-flesh  which  remained  unconsumed.  The  crew 
then  threw  them  large  lumps  of  the  flesh  which  were  lying  on  the  ice,  which  the  old  bear 
fetched  away  singly,  and  laid  before  her  cubs  as  she  brought  it,  dividing  it,  and  giving  each  a 
share,  and  reserving  but  a  small  portion  for  herself.  As  she  was  fetching  away  the  last  piece, 
the  sailors  shot  both  the  cubs  dead,  and  wounded  the  dam.  Although  she  could  only 
just  crawl  to  the  place  where  the  cubs  lay,  she  carried  the  lump  of  flesh  which  she  had  last 
fetched  away,  and  laid  it  before  them ;  and  when  she  saw  that  they  refused  to  eat,  laid  her 
paws  on  them,  and  tried  to  raise  them  up,  moaning  pitifully.  When  she  found  she  could  not 
stir  them,  she  went  to  some  distance,  and  looked  back,  and  then  returned,  pawing  them  all 
over  and  moaning.  Finding  at  last  that  they  were  lifeless,  she  raised  her  head  towards  the 
ship  and  uttered  a  growl,  when  the  sailors  killed  her  with  a  volley  of  musket-balls. 


CHAPTER   VII. 

THE  SMALLER   CARNIVORA. 


THE   RACCOON  FAMILY. 


Photo  by  Scholastic  Photo.  Co.] 

COMMON   RACCOON. 


[Parson's  Green. 


A  LINK  between  the  Bears  and  the  Weasel 
Tribe  is  made  by  the  RACCOONS  and  their 
allies.  They  are  bear-like  in  having  a 
short,  thick  body,  and  in  their  flat-footed  manner 
of  walking ;  also  in  their  habit  of  sitting  up  on 
end,  and  using  their  paws  as  hands,  to  some 
extent,  in  aiding  them  to  climb.  But  they  are 
also  much  like  the  Civets ;  and  the  pretty 
little  CACOMIXLE,  or  KING-TAILED  CAT  of  Mexico, 
was  formerly  classed  with  the  civets.  They 
are  all  very  active,  enterprising,  and  quick-witted 
creatures  of  no  great  size,  very  different  in 
temperament  from  the  bears. 

THE  RACCOON. 


This  is  the  typical  representative  of  the  Raccoon  Family.     It  is  found 
in  most  parts  of  the  United  States,  and  also  in  South  America. 


The  type  of  the  family  is  the  AMERICAN 
RACCOON  itself.  Its  scientific  name  of  "  Lotor," 
the  "  Washer,"  was  given  to  it  from  an  odd  habit  these  creatures  have  of  wetting  and 
washing  their  food  in  any  water  which  is  near.  One  kept  at  the  Zoo  washed  her  kittens  so 
much  when  they  were  born 
that  they  all  died. 

The  'coon  inhabits 
America  from  Canada  to  the 
south  as  far  down  as  Para- 
guay. In  size  it  is  equal  to 
a  common  fox,  but  is  short 
and  stout.  Restless,  inquisi- 
tive, and  prying,  it  is  a  most 
mischievous  beast  where  farm- 
yards and  poultry  are  within 
reach.  It  kills  the  fowls, 
eats  the  eggs,  samples  the 
fruit,  and  if  caught  shams 
dead  with  all  the  doggedness 
of  an  opossum.  It  is  very 
fond  of  fish  and  shell-fish. 
Oysters  are  a  special  dainty, 
as  are  mussels  and  clams. 

A     ffentleman     Who     ker)t      One 


Photo  by  c.  Reid] 


This  animal  has  the 
125 


RACCOON. 

of  always  washing  its  food,  if  possible,  before  it  eats  it. 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


refuge. 


says  :  "  It  opens  oysters  with 
wonderful  skill.  It  is  sufficient 
for  it  to  break  the  hinge  with 
its  teeth  ;  its  paws  complete 
the  work  of  getting  out  the 
oyster.  It  must  have  a 
delicate  sense  of  touch.  In 
this  operation  it  rarely  avails 
itself  of  sight  or  smell.  It 
passes  the  oyster  under  its 
hind  paws;  then,  without 
looking,  it  seeks  with  its 
hands  the  weakest  place.  It 
there  digs  in  its  claws,  forces 
asunder  the  valves,  and  tears 
out  the  flesh  in  fragments, 
leaving  nothing  behind."  Its 
favourite  haunt  is  in  the  cane- 
brakes  of  the  south.  There 
the  planters  follow  it  by  night 
with  dogs,  and  shoot  it  in 
the  trees  in  which  it  takes 
The  skins,  with  handsome  alternations  of  yellow  and  brown,  make  fine  carriage-rugs. 

THE  COATIS. 


Photo  by  A.  S.  Rudland  <C  Sons. 

GREAT   PANDA. 
This  very  rare  animal  is  found  on  the  high  plateau  of  Tibet. 


The  COATIS  are  small  arboreal  creatures,  with  the  habits  of  a  raccoon  and  squirrel  fairly 
proportioned.  They  are  flesh-eaters,  but  active  and  playful.  Their  long  pig-like  snouts  give 
them  an  unpleasant  appearance.  They  inhabit  Mexico  and  Central  and  South  America  as  far  as 
Paraguay.  Several  specimens  are  generally  to  be  seen  at  the  Zoological  Gardens.  Their  habits 
are  much  the  same  as  those  of  the  small  tree-climbing  cats,  but  with  something  of  the  badger 
added.  Insects  and  worms,  as  well  as  birds  and  small  animals,  form  their  food. 

THE  PANDAS  AND  KINKAJOU. 

Among  the  small  carnivorous  mammals  the  BEAR-CAT,  or  PANDA,  is  a  very  interesting 
creature.  Its  colour  is  striking — a  beautiful  red-chestnut  above,  the  lower  surface  jet-black, 
the  tail  long  and  ringed.  The  quality  of  the  fur  is  fine  also.  It  is  found  in  the  Eastern 
Himalaya,  and  is  as  large  as  a  badger.  The  GREAT  PANDA,  from  Eastern  Tibet,  is  a  much 
larger,  short-tailed,  black-and-white  animal,  once  thought  to  be  a  bear.  The  KINKAJOU  has  a 
prehensile  tail,  and  uses  its  paws  as  hands  so  readily  that  it  was  formerly  placed  among  the 
lemurs.  It  is  a  native  of  Southern  and  intertropical  America.  Nocturnal,  and  living  in  the 
great  forests,  it  is  seldom  seen  by  man.  Its  head  is  round  and  cat-like,  its  feet  are  the  same, 
but  with  non-retractile  claws,  and  it  has  a  long,  full  tail.  It  has  a  long  tongue,  with  which  it 
can  lick  out  insects  from  the  crevices  and  holes  of  trees.  Baron  von  Humboldt  says  that  it 
attacks  the  nests  of  wild  bees.  It  uses  its  tongue  to  draw  objects  of  food  towards  it,  even 
if  they  are  not  living.  A  pleasant  description  of  this  animal  appeared  in  Charles  Knight's 
"  Museum  of  Animated  Nature,"  published  many  years  ago  :  •'  In  its  aspect  there  is  something 
of  gentleness  and  good-nature.  In  captivity  it  is  extremely  playful,  familiar,  and  fond  of  being 
noticed.  One  lived  in  the  gardens  of  the  Zoological  Society  for  seven  years.  During  the 
greater  part  of  the  morning  it  was  asleep,  rolled  up  in  a  ball  in  its  cage.  In  the  afternoon 
it  would  come  out,  traverse  its  cage,  take  food,  and  play  with  those  to  whom  it  was  accustomed. 
Clinging  to  the  top  wires  of  its  cage  with  its  tail  and  hind  paws,  it  would  thus  swing  itself 


The     Smaller    Carnivora 


127 


backwards  and  forwards.  When  thus  hanging,  it  would  bring 
its  fore  paws  to  the  bars,  as  well  as  the  hind  pair,  and  in 
this  manner  would  travel  up  and  down  its  cage  with  the 
utmost  address,  every  now  and  then  thrusting  out  its  long 
tongue  between  the  wires,  as  if  in  quest  of  food,  which,  when 
offered  to  it,  it  would  endeavour  to  draw  in  between  the 
wires  with  this  organ.  It  was  very  fond  of  being  gently 
stroked  and  scratched,  and  when  at  play  with  any  one  it 
knew  it  would  pretend  to  bite,  seizing  the  hand  or  fingers 
with  its  teeth,  as  a  dog  will  do  when  playing  with  its 
master.  As  the  evening  came  on,  it  was  full  of  animation, 
and  exhibited  in  every  movement  the  most  surprising  energy." 

THE   OTTERS. 

As    the    badgers    and    ratels    seem    specially   adapted   to 

an  underground   and   cave-making    existence,    so    the    OTTERS 

all  conform  in   structure  to  an  aquatic  life  ;    yet,  except   the 

webbing  of   the    space    between  the  toes    and  the    shortening 

and  flattening  of  the  head,  there  is  very  little  obvious  change 

in  their  structure  to   meet   the  very  great  difference   in   the 

conditions  under  which  they  live. 

The    SHORT-TOED    OTTER   is  a   small   Indian  species.      It 

has   nails  on  its  hands  in   place  of   claws.     One  kept  at  the 

Zoo   was  a  most  amusing   and   friendly   little  pet,   which  let 

itself  be  nursed  like  a  kitten. 

The  NORTH  AMERICAN  OTTER  has  the  same  habits  as  the 

English  kind,  but  is  somewhat  larger,  and  has  a  far  finer  coat. 

It  is  trapped  in  thousands,  and  the  fur  sent  over  to  this  country  to  the  Hudson  Bay  Company's 

and  Sir  Charles  Lampson's  fur-  sales.     These  otters,  like  all  their  family,  are  very  fond  of  playing. 

One   of  their   regular  games   is  to   make  a  snow-slide  or  an  ice-slide    down  a   frozen   waterfall. 

The  alighting-place  from  this 
chute  is,  if  possible,  in  the 
water.  There  the  trapper 
sets  his  traps,  and  the  poor 
otters  are  caught. 

The  COMMON  OTTER  is  far 
the  most  attractive  of  the 
British  carnivora.  It  is  still 
fairly  common  all  over  Britain 
where  fish  exist.  It  is  found 
on  the  Norfolk  broads  and 
rivers,  all  up  the  Thames, 
in  Scotland,  Devonshire,  Wales, 
Cumberland,  and  Northumber- 
land. It  travels  considerable 
distances  from  river  to  river, 
and  sometimes  gets  into  a 
preserved  trout-pool  or 

By  permission  of  Percy  Leigh  Pemberto-,   Eiq.  breeding-pond,  and  does  much 

YOUNG  OTTERS.  mischief.     The   beautiful 

,  _  , 

young  otters  here  figured  are 


Photo  ly  Scholastic  Photo.  Co.,  Parson's  Green. 


KINKAJOU. 

The  kinkajou  eats  birds  and  eggs  as  well  as 
honey  and  fruit.  One  kept  in  South  America 
killed  a  whole  brood  of  turkeys,  and  was  partial  to 
birds'  eggs. 


B 


Otters,  when  taken  young,  can  be  trained  to  catch  fish  for  their  owners.     In  India  several  tribes 

employ  them  for  this  purpose. 


128 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


Photo  ly  the  Duchess  of  Bedford] 

TWO  TAME  OTTERS. 


I  Woburn  Abbey. 


These  two  little  otters  were  photographed  by  the  Duchess  of  Bedford.  Alluding 
to  the  old  signs  of  the  zodiac  and  their  fondness  for  the  watering-pot,  their  portrait 
was  called  "Aquarius"  and  "  The  Twins." 


in  Mr.  Percy  Leigh  Pemberton's 
collection  of  British  mammals  at 
Ashford,  Kent.  Their  owner  made  a 
large  brick  tank  for  them,  where 
they  were  allowed  to  catch  live  fish. 
Once  one  of  them  seized  a  4-lb.  pike 
by  the  tail.  The  pike  wriggled  round 
and  seized  the  otter's  paw,  but  was 
soon  placed  hors  de  combat.  The 
largest  otter  which  the  writer  has 
seen  was  bolted  by  a  ferret  from 
a  rabbit-warren  on  the  ed^e  of  the 

O 

Norfolk  fen  at  Hockwold,  and  shot 
by  the  keeper,  who  was  rabbiting. 

English  dog  otters  sometimes 
weigh  as  much  as  26  Ibs.  They 
regularly  hunt  down  the  rivers  by 
night,  returning  before  morning  to 
their  holt,  where  they  sleep  by  day. 
No  fish  stands  a  chance  with  them. 
They  swim  after  the  fish  in  the  open 
river,  chase  it  under  the  bank,  and 
then  corner  it,  or  seize  it  with  a 
rush,  just  as  the  penguins  catch 
gudgeon  at  the  Zoo.  Captain  Salvin 
owned  a  famous  tame  otter  which 
used  to  go  for  walks  with  him,  and 
amuse  itself  by  catching  fish  in  the 
roadside  ponds. 


THE  SEA-OTTER. 

Common  otters  killed  on  the  coast  are  often  confounded  with  the  SEA-OTTER.  This  is 
a  great  mistake.  The  sea-otter  is  as  much  a  marine  animal  as  the  seal  or  the  sea-lion. 
It  swims  out  in  the  open  ocean,  and  is  even  more  of  a  pelagic  creature  than  the  seal,  for 
it  either  produces  its  young  when  in  the  water,  or  at  any  rate  carries  and  suckles  them 
on  the  open  sea.  The  sea-otter  is  much  larger  than  the  common  otter.  Unfortunately  the 
fish  and  other  marine  creatures  which  form  the  food  of  the  sea-otters  are  found  mainly 
near  the  coast.  Following  them,  the  otters  come  near  the  Aleutian  Islands,  where  the 
hunters  are  ever  on  the  watch  for 
them.  If  a  single  otter  is  seen, 
five  or  six  boats,  with  a  rifleman 
in  each,  at  once  put  out,  and  the 
otter  stands  little  chance  of  escape. 
It  never  was  a  common  animal,  and 
the  prices  given  for  the  fur,  up 
to  £200  for  a  first-class  skin,  have 
caused  its  destruction.  The  skin, 
when  stretched  and  cured,  is  some- 
times 5  feet  long,  and  is  of  an  exquisite 

natural   rich   brown,  like    long  plush,        photo  iy  A.  s.  Kwiiand  d-  sons. 
sprinkled  all  over  with  whitish  hairs  SEA-OTTER. 

like    hoarfrost.  The  sea-otter  has  the  most  valuable  fur  of  any  animal. 


Photo  bij  Dr.  R.  TF.  Shufeldt,  Washington. 

RACCOON. 
This  animal  is  found  from  Alaska,  through  the  United  States,  to  Central  America. 


The    Smaller    Carnivora 


129 


Photo  by  A.  S.  Rudland  <t  Sons. 


A   SKUNK. 


An  American  animal,  noted  chiefly  for  the  scent-gland  it  possesses,  from  which  it 
emits  a  most  obnoxious-smelling  fluid. 


THE    SKUNKS. 

OF  all  the  strange  equipments 
given  by  nature  to  animals  for  their 
protection  that  possessed  by  the  various 
species  of  SKUNK  is  the  most  effec- 
tive. These  animals  are  able  to  emit 
a  fluid  so  vile  in  odour  that  it  seems 
equally  hateful  to  all  animals.  Dogs, 
pumas,  men,  alike  shun  them,  and  the 
animals  seem  to  know  this  and  to  pre- 
sume on  their  immunity.  An  ordinary 
skunk  is  about  the  size  of  a  cat, 
black,  with  bright  white  stripes  down 
the  sides  and  back.  The  fur  is  thick 
and  handsome,  and,  if  the  animal  be 
killed  before  it  discharges  its  fluid, 
is  not  too  strongly  odorous  to  make 
trimmings  for  jackets.  Mr.  Hudson, 

in  his  "  Naturalist  in  La  Plata,"  says :  "  In  talking  to  strangers  from  abroad,  I  have 
never  thought  it  necessary  to  speak  of  the  dangers  of  sunstroke,  jaguars,  or  the  assassin's 
knife.  But  I  have  never  omitted  to  warn  them  of  the  skunk,  minutely  describing  its  habits 
and  personal  appearance.  I  knew  an  Englishman  who,  on  taking  a  first  gallop  across  the 
Pampas,  saw  one,  and,  quickly  dismounting,  hurled  himself  bodily  on  to  it  to  effect  its 
capture.  Poor  man !  He  did  not  know  that  the  animal  is  never  unwilling  to  be  caught. 
Men  have  been  blinded  by  them  for  ever  by  a  discharge  of  the  fiery  liquid  in  their  faces. 
The  smell  pervades  the  whole  system  of  any  one  subjected  to  it,  like  a  pestilent  ether, 
nauseating  the  victim  till  sea-sickness  seems  pleasant  in  comparison."  Dogs  can  be  taught  to 
kill  skunks;  but  they  show  the  greatest  disgust  and  horror  when  the  fluid  of  the  animal 

falls  upon  them,  and 
sometimes  roll  in  mud 
or  dust  in  the  en- 
deavour to  get  rid 
of  it. 

THE  BADGERS. 

THE  BADGERS  in- 
clude several  genera. 
The  SAND-BADGERS  of 
the  East  have  a  naked 
snout,  small  ears,  and 
rough  fur,  with  softer 
fur  underneath.  The 
INDIAN  BADGER  is 
larger  than  that  of 
Europe,  while  that  of 
Java,  Sumatra,  and 
Borneo  is  smaller,  and 
has  a  very  short  tail. 

The  FERRET- 
BADGERS  from  the 
East  have  elongated 

17 


Photo  by  C.  Reid] 


[  Wishaw,  N.B. 


A  BADGER  IN   THE   WATER. 

Badgers  are  increasing  in  many  parts  of  England.    They  are  nocturnal  animals. 


130 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


Photo  liy  Scholastic  Photo.  Co.]  iParson's  Green, 

EUROPEAN   BADGER. 

Badgers    can    be    readily    kept    in    confinement,  and    are    not  difficult  to  tame 
thoroughly. 


bodies  and  short  tails.  They  are  tree- 
climbers,  and  as  omnivorous  as  the 
badger  itself.  The  CAPE  ZORILLA,  with 
another  species  found  in  Egypt,  is 
more  nearly  allied  to  the  polecats,  but 
is  striped  like  a  skunk. 

The  EUROPEAN  BADGER  is  still  fairly 
numerous.  There  is  not  a  county  in 
England  where  it  is  not  found.  A 
large  colony  has  been  established  in 
Epping  Poorest,  some  fifty  yards  square 
of  hillside  being  honeycombed  with 
badger-earths.  The  European  badger 
is  found  all  over  temperate  Northern 
Europe  and  Asia ;  but  being  shy,  wary, 
and  mainly  nocturnal,  is  seldom  seen. 
At  night  it  wanders  about,  and  in 
August  gets  into  the  corn-fields, 
whence  it  is  chased  and  caught  by 
dogs.  A  Somersetshire  farmer  had  a 
pointer  and  sheep-dog  which  were 
adepts  at  this  night-catching  of  badgers.  They  would  accompany  their  master  along  the  roads, 
and  the  pointer  instantly  winded  any  badger  which  had  crossed.  Both  dogs  then  bounded 
off,  and  soon  their  loud  barking  showed  that  they  had  found  and  "held  up"  the  badger. 
The  dogs'  owner  then  came  up,  picked  the  badger  up  by  its  tail,  and  dropped  it  in  a 
sack.  The  badger's  "  earth "  is  wonderfully  deep  and  winding ;  in  it  the  badger  sleeps 
during  the  winter,  and  gives  birth  to  its  young,  three  or  four  of  which  are  produced  at  a 
time.  The  end  of  March  is  the  period  of  birth,  but  the  cubs  do  not  come  out  until  June. 
In  October  they  are  full-grown.  The  badger  carries  in  a  great  quantity  of  fern  and  grass  as 
a  bed  for  its  cubs.  Mr.  Trevor-Battye  writes :  "  I  had  a  pair  which  were  probably  about 
six  weeks  old.  They  were  called  Grripper  and  Nancy.  They  would  rest  on  my  lap  when 
feeding,  and  sit  up  and  beg  like  dogs.  Their  hearing  and  power  of  scent  were  remarkable. 
The  badgers  were  in  a  closed  yard ;  but  if  any  of  the  dogs  came  near,  even  following 
a  path  which  ran  at  a  distance  of  six  or  seven  yards,  they  would  instantly  jump  off  my  lap 
and  disappear  into  a  corner.  The  animals  could  walk  and  trot  backwards  with  the 
greatest  ease."  I  have  never  seen  this  noticed  elsewhere,  yet  it  is  worth  mentioning,  because 
it  is  characteristic  of  the  Weasel  Family,  not  being  shared,  to  my  knowledge,  by  any  other 
mammal — not,  for  instance,  by  the  Bears. 

Mr.  A.  E.  Pease  says  of  the  badger:  "It  is  easily  domesticated,  and  if  brought  up  by 
hand  is  found  an  interesting  and  charming  companion.  I  had  at  one  time  two  that  I  could 
do  anything  with,  and  which  followed  me  so  closely  that  they  would  bump  against  my  boots 
each  step  I  took,  and  come  and  snuggle  in  under  my  coat  when  I  sat  down.'* 

THE  EATELS. 

As  the  mink  is  adapted  for  an  aquatic  diet,  so  the  EATELS,  a  link  between  the  Weasels 
and  the  Badgers,  seem  to  have  been  specialised  to  live  upon  insects  and  honey  as  well  as  flesh. 
They  are  quaint  creatures,  with  rounded  iron-grey  backs,  and  black  bellies,  noses,  and  feet.  The 
African  kind  is  found  in  Cape  Colony  and  East  Africa,  and  is  believed  to  live  largely  on  honey 
and  bee-brood.  The  habits  of  the  ratel  are  almost  identical  with  those  of  the  badger,  except 
that  it  is  less  shy  and  very  restless.  A  nearly  similar  species  of  ratel  is  found  in  Southern 
Asia  from  the  Caspian  to  India. 

The  ratels  are  strictly  nocturnal,  and  make  their  lair  by  day  in  hollow  trees,  though  they 


The    Smaller    Carnivora 


are  said  not  to  climb.  The  skin  is  protected  by  thick,  close  hair,  so  that  bees  cannot 
sting  through  the  fur.  The  skin  is  also  very  loose.  If  a  dog  bites  it,  the  ratel  can  generally 
twist  round  and  bite  back.  The  African  ratel  is  omnivorous.  It  eats  snakes  and  birds.  The 
body  of  a  cobra  has  been  found  in  the  stomach  of  one. 

THE   WEASEL   TRIBE. 

No  animals  are  more  bloodthirsty  and  carnivorous  than  most  of  the  Weasel  Tribe.  They 
are  also  well  equipped  both  in  actual  weapons  and  in  activity  of  body,  and  have  powers  quite 
out  of  proportion  to  their  size.  They  are  also  gifted  with  magnificent  coats,  and  constitute 
the  most  valuable  source  of  choice  furs.  Sable,  Marten,  Mink,  Wolverine,  Ermine,  Otters,  and 
several  others  are  among  the  most  highly  prized.  Their  claws  are  sharp,  but  not  retractile. 
It  is  indeed  fortunate  that  these  creatures  are  so  small  in  size,  otherwise  they  would  be 
among  the  greatest  enemies  of  animal  life.  As  things  are,  they  are  useful  in  keeping  down  the 
numbers  of  creatures  which,  like  field-mice,  moles,  rabbits,  and  rats,  might,  and  occasionally 
do,  become  a  pest. 

THE  MARTENS. 

There  are  two  species  of  marten  in  Europe— the  BEECH-  and  the  PINE-MARTEN.  The 
latter  has  a  yellow  throat,  the  former  a  white  one.  The  fur  is  almost  as  fine  as  sable.  All 
so-called  Canadian  sables  are  really  martens.  These  animals  are  found  throughout  Northern 
Europe  and  Northern  Asia,  in  Japan,  and  all  over  Northern  America.  In  Scotland  the 
pine-marten  survives  in  the  pine  forests ;  also  in  Ireland,  where  it  is  occasionally  killed  on 
the  Wicklow  Mountains,  near  Dublin,  and  on  the  Mourne  Mountains.  It  is  believed  to 
remain  in  Cumberland,  Devonshire,  and  possibly  in  parts  of  Wales.  It  is  a  tree-loving  animal, 
and  feeds  mainly  on  squirrels,  which  it  pursues  through  the  branches.  It  is  also  fond  of 
fruit.  .Mr.  Charles  St.  John  discovered  this  in  a  curious  way.  He  noticed  that  his  rasp- 
berries were  being  stolen,  so  set  a  trap  among  the  canes.  Next  day  all  he  could  see  was  a 
heap  of  newly  gathered  raspberry  leaves  where  the  trap  was.  Stooping  down  to  move  them,  a 
marten  sprang  up  and  tried  to  defend  itself.  The  poor  beast  had  come  to  gather  more  rasp- 
berries, and  had  been  caught.  Unable  to  escape,  it  gathered  the  leaves  near  and  concealed  itself. 


THE   SABLE. 


This  is  so  little  different 
from  the  marten  that  some 
have  thought  it  only  a 
northern  variety.  That  is  not 
the  case,  as  both  are  found 
in  the  same  area,  and  no  one 
who  knows  anything  of  form 
and  colour  could  mistake  the 
true  sable's  fur.  This  fur  is 
so  fine  and  even  that  each 
single  hair  tapers  gradually 
to  a  point :  that  is  why 
sable  brushes  for  painting  are 
so  valuable ;  they  always  form 
a  point  when  wet.  The  price 
of  these  brushes,  which  are 
of  genuine  sable  fur,  though 
made  up  from  fragments  of 
the  worst- coloured  or  damaged 
skins,  varies  yearly  with  the 
price  of  sable  in  the  market. 


Plcoto  ly  A.  S.  Rudtand  it  Sons. 

RATEL. 
Ratels  are  curiously  restless  little  animals,  with  a  peculiar  trot-like  walk. 


132 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


THE  MINK. 

Ladies  are  very  familiar  with  the  fur  of  the  MINK,  which  is  one  of  the  best  of  the  less 
expensive  varieties ;  it  is  not  glossy  as  marten  or  sable,  and  of  a  lighter  and  more  uniform 
brown.  The  mink  is  a  water-haunting  polecat,  found  in  Siberia,  North  America,  and  Japan. 
Its  main  home  is  in  North  America,  where  the  immense  system  of  lakes  and  rivers  gives 
scope  for  its  aquatic  habits.  The  under-fur  is  particularly  warm  and  thick,  to  keep  out  the 
cold  of  the  water,  in  which  the  animal  spends  more  time  than  on  land.  It  is  not  stated  to 
catch  fish,  as  does  the  otter,  in  the  water  ;  but  it  lives  on  frogs,  crayfish,  mussels,  and  dead 
or  stranded  fish.  Minks  have  been  kept  in  confinement  and  regularly  bred  in  "  minkeries," 
as  is  the  blue  fox,  and  in  Manchuria  the  chow  dog,  for  the  sake  of  its  fur. 

THE  POLECAT. 

This  is  now  probably  the  rarest  of  the  British  weasels.  It  is  almost  identically  the  same 
as  the  polecat-ferret,  a  cross-breed  between  it  and  the  domesticated  variety.  It  survives  in  a 
few  of  the  great  woodlands  of  the  Midlands  and  of  Oxfordshire,  in  Scotland,  and  Wales.  It  is 
found  in  Cumberland,  near  Bowness,  and  on  Exmoor  and  Dartmoor  where  rabbits  abound.  It 
is  an  expert  swimmer.  Its  habits  are  the  same  as  those  of  the  stoat,  but  it  is  slower  in  its 
movements.  It  catches  fish,  and  can  pick  up  food  from  the  bottom  of  the  water.  Wild  ones 
can  be  trained  to  work  like  ferrets.  "  They  do  not  delay  in  the  hole,  but  follow  the  rat  out 
and  catch  it  in  a  couple  of  bounds"  (Trevor-Bat tye).  The  FERRET  is  a  domesticated  breed 
of  polecat.  It  is  identical  in  shape  and  habits,  but  unable  to  stand  the  cold  of  our  climate 
in  the  open. 


By  permission  of  Percy  Leigh  Peinbcrton,  £«/. 


PINE-MARTEN. 

Pine-martens  have  most  beautiful  fur,  and  for  that  reason  are  much  hunted  in  America. 


The    Smaller    Carnivora 


133 


By  permission  of  Percy  LwjU  Pemberton;  Esq. 

POLECAT; 

In  England  this  animal  is  becoming  very  scarce. 


THE  WEASEL. 

The  smallest,  fiercest,  and 
commonest  of  its  race,  the 
little  WEASEL  is  by  no  means 
the  least  formidable  to  other 
animals  of  the  carnivora  of 
England.  It  is  cinnamon- 
coloured,  with  a  white  throat 
and  belly,  and  climbs  as 
neatly  as  a  cat,  running  up 
vertical  boughs  with  almost 
greater  facility.  A  weasel  in 
a  high  hedge  will  run  the 
whole  length  of  the  fence, 
from  twig  to  twig,  without 
descending ;  it  threads  the 
galleries  of  the  field-mice, 
sucks  the  eggs  of  small  birds 
in  their  nests,  and  attacks 
rats,  mice,  rabbits,  and  even 
such  large  birds  as  grouse 

without  fear  or  hesitation.  During  a  great  plague  of  field-voles  in  the  Lowlands  of  Scotland 
in  the  years  1890  and  1891  the  weasels  increased  enormously.  A  shepherd  took  the  trouble 
to  follow  a  weasel  down  a  hollow  drain  in  the  Vole-infested  hillside ;  he  found  the  bodies  of  no 
less  than  thirteen  field-mice,  which  the  weasel  had  amused  itself  by  killing.  In  winter  weasels 
hunt  the  corn-stacks  for  mice,  and  often  make  a  home  among  the  sheaves.  One  was  seen 
chasing  a  vole  by  Mr.  Trevor-Battye,  who  picked  up  the  vole,  which  the  weasel  was  just  about 
to  jump  up  for,  when  he  threw  it  into  the  hedge.  There  the  weasel  pounced  on  it  and 
carried  it  off ! 

The  main  food  of  the  weasel  is  the  field-mouse  and  small  voles.     Weasels  are  very  devoted 
to   their   young;    they   will  pick    them   up   and  carry  them  off  as   a  cat  does    a  kitten,  if  the 
nest   is   in   danger.     Their   hunting    shows    great  marks   of  cunning.     One  was    seen    in   a   field 
in  which  a  number   of   corn-buntings 
were  flying  about,  alighting  on  thistles. 
The  weasel  went  and    hid    under   one 
of    the    tallest    thistles,    on    which    a 
bunting    soon    alighted ;     an    instant 
after   it    sprang    up    and    caught    and 
killed  the  bird. 

THE  STOAT,  OR  ERMINE. 

This  is  the  commonest  and  most 
widely  distributed  of  all  the  Weasel 
Tribe.  In  winter  the  fur  turns  to 
pure  white  in  the  northern  countries, 
and  occasionally  in  Southern  England. 
It  is  then  known  as  the  ERMINE,  and 
yields  the  ermine  fur.  In  every 
country  where  it  is  found  it  is  the  Photo  iy  A. 

deadly  foe  of  all  small  animals,  from  HIMALAYA*  WEASEL. 

J  "Weasels   are   still  common    in  England.       They  are  fierce,  and  absolutely  fearless 

the    hare   to   the    smallest  field-mice.  when  in  pursuit  of  game. 


134 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


Photos  by  A.  S.  Rudland  d>  Sons. 

COMMON   STOAT. 

Iii  summer  coat.  In  winter  coat. 

These  photographs  show  the  stoat  (or  ermine,  as  it  is  often  called)  in  its  summer  and  winter  coats.    This  animal  gives  us  the  well-known  ermino  fur. 

It  has  the  same  passion  for  killing  for  killing's  sake  shared  by  the  ferret.  If  a  stoat  finds  a 
rabbit's  nest,  for  instance,  it  always  murders  all  the  young  ones.  These  creatures  sometimes 
contrive  to  hunt  in  packs,  or  to  migrate  in  society.  They  are  very  fond  of  their  young,  which 
they  lay  up  in  old  crows'  nests,  holes  in  banks,  or  straw-stacks.  They  have  often  been  seen 
to  carry  them  out  of  danger  in  their  mouths.  The  length  of  the  head  and  body  is  lOf  inches, 
and  of  the  tail  6|  inches.  The  young  are  usually  from  five  to  eight  in  number,  and  are  born 
in  April  or  May.  They  soon  move  into  the  long  standing-grass,  and  remain  there  till  it  is  cut. 
After  that  they  move  to  the  woods  and  covers,  and  great  numbers  are  trapped.  If  not,  they 
attack  the  young  pheasants,  and  do  great  damage.  They  can  climb  well,  and  are  known,  as 
is  the  polecat,  to  ascend  trees  and  kill  birds  on  their  nests.  They  also  suck  eggs.  Forty-two 
pheasants'  eggs  were  taken  by  Mr.  de  Winton  from  one  stoat's  hole. 

THE  GLUTTON,  OR  WOLVERINE. 

This  largest  and  most  destructive  of  all  the  Weasel  Tribe  is  found  all  round  the 
northern  edge  of  the  Arctic  Circle,  from  Norway  to  Hudson  Bay.  It  is  a  large  heavy 
animal,  with  a  short  head,  sharp  claws,  long  thick  fur,  and  a  clumsy  gait.  Its  tusks 
are  very  long  and  sharp;  and  its  appetite,  if  not  so  insatiable  as  the  old  travellers  were 
told,  is  sharp  enough  to  keep  it  always  hunting.  It  follows  the  fur-trappers  in  the 

woods,  and,  being  very  cunning, 
breaks  in  at  the  back  of  their 
fall-traps,  and  robs  the  baits 
or  the  prey  caught.  When  Lord 
Milton  and  Dr.  Cheadle  made 
the  North-west  Passage  by 
land,  they  lost  nearly  all  their 
furs  in  this  way.  Once,  having 
trapped  a  valuable  silver  fox, 
the  only  one  caught  by  them, 
they  found  nothing  but  shreds 
of  fur  left  by  the  glutton.  As 
the  marten-hunters'  line  of 
traps  is  perhaps  fifty  or  sixty 
miles  long,  the  loss  and 
damage  caused  by  the  glutton 
is  most  mortifying.  This 

Photo  ly  A.  s.  Rudiand  &  sons  animal  can  only  be  caught  in 

steel  traps,  and  that  with  great 


GLUTTON. 

A  cunning,  destructive  animal,  which  follows  the  trappers  and  robs  them  of  the  animals  taken 

in  the  traps. 


difficulty. 


By  permission  of  the  New  York  Zoological  Society. 

CALIFORXIAX   SEA-LIONS,   OR   EARED   SEALS. 

Seal-herds  form  "  rookeries  "  when  on  land  at  the  breeding-season,  during  which  time  they  undergo  a  complete  fast. 

135 


CHAPTER   VIII. 


MARINE   CARNIVORA:    THE    SEALS,    SEA-LIONS,   AND    WALRUS. 


Photo  Inj  G.  Tr.  Wilson  <k  Co.j  Ltd.] 

STELLER'S  SEA-LION; 


[Aberdeen^ 


are  three  families 
1  of  the  Sea  Carnivora,  — 
the  Fur-seals,  or 
Eared  Seals  ;  the  Walrus  ; 
and  the  True  or  Earless  Seal?. 
The  first  group,  which 
are  called  EARED  SEALS,  and 
occasionally  SEA-  LIONS  and 
SEA-BEARS,  have  a  small  outer 
ear,  and  when  on  land  the 
hind  flippers  are  folded 
forwards  beneath  the  body. 
There  is  a  distinct  neck,  and 
on  the  flippers  are  rudi- 
mentary claws.  Some  of  the 
eared  seals  have  the  close 
and  fine  under-fur  which 
makes  their  capture  so  re- 
munerative. Under  the  skin 
there  is  often  a  thick  layer 
of  blubber,  which  is  also 
turned  to  commercial  uses  by 
the  sealers. 

The  WALRUS  stands  by  itself.  It  is  a  purely  Arctic  species,  whereas  fur-seals  are  found 
from  Bering  Sea  to  the  Antarctic  ;  and  forms  in  some  degree  a  connecting-link  between  the  eared 
seals  and  the  true  seals.  Like  the  former,  it  tnrns  the  front  flippers  forwards  and  inwards 
when  on  land  ;  but  it  resembles  the  true  seals  in  having  no  external  ears.  The  upper  canine 
teeth  are  developed  into  enormous  tusks  of  hard  ivory. 

The  COMMON  SEALS  are  the  most  thoroughly  aquatic.  The  hind  flippers  seem  almost  to 
have  coalesced  with  the  tail,  and  are  always  directed  backwards  in  line  with  it.  They  have  no 
under-fur.  On  land  they  can  only  use  the  front  flippers  to  aid  their  progress. 

Most  seals  are  marine,  though  some  are  found  in  the  land-locked  sea  of  Lake  Baikal,  in 
Central  Asia,  and  the  true  seals  often  come  up  rivers. 

THE  EARED  SEALS,  OR  SEA-LIONS. 

These  and  the  walrus  have  their  hind  limbs  so  far  free  that  they  can  crawl  on  land  and 
use  their  flippers  for  other  purposes  than  swimming  ;  they  can  comb  their  hair  with  them,  and 
walk  in  an  awkward  way.  They  are  divided  into  the  fur-seals  and  hair-seals  in  the  language 
of  trade.  The  fur-seals  are  those  from  which  ladies'  seal-skin  jackets  are  made;  the  hair- 
seals  are  sought  for  their  hides  and  oil.  A  demand  has  sprung  up  for  the  latter  to  make 
coats  for  automobilists  to  wear  when  riding  at  high  speed  in  cold  weather.  The  "porpoise- 
hide  "  boots  are  really  made  from  the  skin  of  the  hair-seal. 

Both  hair-seals  and  fur-seals  have  in  common  the  remarkable  habit  of  assembling  in  large 


The  eared  seal,  or  sea-lion,  has  the  hind  flippers  divided,  and  is  thus  able  to  move  with  com- 
parative ease  on  land; 


Marine    Carnivora 


137 


herds  during  the  breeding-season,  and  of  spending  a  long  period  on  land  after  the  young  are 
born.  The  male  seals  reach  the  islands,  or  "rookeries,"  first,  followed  by  the  females.  The 
latter  give  birth  to  their  young  almost  as  soon  as  they  reach  the  rocks,  and  are  then  seized 
and  gathered  into  harems  by  the  strongest  and  oldest  males.  The  sea-lions  of  Patagonia, 
equally  with  the  fur-seals  of  Bering  Sea  and  the  Pribyloff  Islands,  never  feed  during  the  whole 
time  which  they  spend  on  the  rocks,  often  for  a  period  of  two  months. 

THE  FUR-SEALS. 

The  NORTHERN  FUR-SEAL  is  the  only  member  of  this  group  surviving  in  any  number.  These 
animals  still  annually  resort  to  the  Aleutian  Islands,  in  the  territory  of  Alaska,  in  great  herds  to 
produce  their  young,  and  to  certain  other  islets  off  the  coast  of  Japan.  This  northern  fur-seal, 
from  the  fur  of  which  the  seal-skin  jackets  are  obtained,  is,  when  full  grown,  between  6  and  7  feet 
long.  The  females  are  only  4  feet  or  4|  feet  in  length.  The  shoulder  of  the  male  is  grey,  the 
rest  of  the  body  varying  between  reddish  grey  and  deep  black.  The  female  is  lighter  in  colour. 
Males  of  this  species  are  not  full  grown  till  six  years  of  age,  but  breed  when  four  years  old. 
The  females  produce  young  at  three  years  of  age.  The  male  seals  take  possession  of  the  females 
almost  immediately  after  reaching  the  breeding-grounds,  each  male  collecting  as  many  females 
as  it  can  round  it.  The  pups  keep  with  their  mothers.  This  assemblage  is  surrounded  by 
great  numbers  of  young  male  or  bachelor  seals,  which  the  old  males  prevent  from  annexing 
any  of  the  females.  The  greatest  of  all  these  gathering-places  are  on  the  Pribyloff  Islands  and 
certain  other  islets  in  Bering  Sea.  By  the  end  of  May  both  male  and  female  seals  swim  in  flocks 
through  Bering  Straits,  making  for  the  islands.  The  islands  themselves  are  leased  to  American 
merchants.  But  as  those  seals  killed  on  the  way  are  all  just  about  to  bring  forth  young,  the  waste 
and  cruelty  of  this  "  pelagic  sealing  "  will  be  easily  understood.  On  the  islands,  or  "  rookeries," 
the  males,  mothers,  and  pups  remain  till  August,  when  the  pups  take  to  the  water.  The  male 
seals  have  remained  for  at  least  two  months,  incessantly  fighting  and  watching,  without  taking 
any  food.  By  that  time  they  are  quite  exhausted,  the  fat  which  they  laid  up  previously  being 
all  absorbed.  The  fur  has  not  naturally  either  the  colour  or  texture  which  art  gives  it.  The 


Photo  by.  Cl.  II 


[Aberdeen. 


SEA-LION. 


This  photograph  shows  the  dry  mane  of  the  sea-lion,  a  rather  uncommon  sight,  as  it  rarely  remains  long  enough  out   of  the  water  for  its 

fur  to  become  absolutely  dry. 

18 


138 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


outer  fur  is  long  and  coarse,  and  only  the  inner  fur 
of  the  exquisite  texture  of  the  "made"  skin.  The 
former  is  removed,  and  the  latter  dyed  to  the  rich 
brown  colour  which  we  see.  The  fur-seals  are  steadily 
diminishing,  and  each  year's  catch  is  smaller  than 
that  of  the  year  before. 

The  CAPE  FUR-SEAL,  SOUTHERN  FUR-SEAL,  and  NEW 
ZEALAND  FUR-SEAL  are  practically  extinct  for  com- 
mercial purposes. 

THE  HAIR-SEALS. 

Among  these  are  the  large  so-called  "  sea-lions  " 
of  Patagonia  and  the  North  Pacific.  We  are  familiar 
with  their  appearance,  because  for  many  years 
specimens  have  been  kept  at  the  Zoological  Gardens. 
Their  habits  are  much  the  same  as  those  of  the  fur- 
seals.  The  principal  species  are,  in  the  north, 
STELLER'S  SEA-LION,  and  the  PATAGOXIAN  SEA-LION  in 
the  south.  Those  kept  at  the  Zoological  Gardens 
are  usually  of  the  latter  species. 

STELLER'S  SEA-LION  is  already  on  the  road  to 
extinction.  When  the  annual  catch  of  fur-seals 
reached  100,000  a  year,  the  total  number  of 
these  northern  sea-lions  was  estimated  at  between 
30,000  and  40,000.  They  repair  every  year  to 
the  Pribyloff  Islands  to  breed,  as  the  fur-seals  do, 
but  are  shier  and  more  entirely  aquatic.  The  fur 
of  the  old  males  is  tawny,  and  makes  a  kind 

All  sea-lions  are  polygamous.     The   males  guard  their        of       mane       OV6r'     the        shoulders,       whence       its      name, 
harenjs  very  jealously,   and   fight  determinedly   with    any        Q£f    gan      FrancisCO     there      is      a      Small      rocky      island, 

one  of  the  ancient  "  rookeries "  of  these  sea-lions, 

where  they  are  carefully  preserved  by  the  United  States  Government  as  one  of  the  sights 
of  the  bay.  Another  favourite  haunt  in  old  days  was  on  the  Farralone  Islands,  thirty  miles 
from  the  bay. 

Southwards,  towards  the  Antarctic,  on  the  desolate  and  uninhabited  coasts  and  islets  of 
the  Far  Southern  Ocean,  the  most  characteristic  of  the  fauna  still  remaining  are  the  sea-lions. 
Formerly  they  swarmed  in  great  packs,  crowding  at  the  breeding-season  the  seaweed-covered 
rocks  with  their  huge  and  unwieldy  forms,  and  at  other  times  cruising  in  uncouth  and  noisy 
companies  in  search  of  the  fishes  and  squids,  which  they  pursued  like  packs  of  ocean-wolves. 
In  spring  the  sea-lions  used  to  struggle  on  to  the  flat  shore,  where  the  equally  aquatic 
tribes  of  penguins,  which  had  lost  the  use  of  their  wings,  covered  acre  after  acre  of  rock  with 
their  eggs  and  young.  These  the  sea-lions  devoured.  When  the  men  of  the  first  exploring- 
ships  visited  the  penguins'  nurseries,  all  the  ungainly  birds  began  to  hop  inland,  evidently 
taking  the  men  for  seals,  and  thinking  it  best  to  draw  them  as  far  from  their  native  element 
as  possible.  But  the  eared  seals  can  make  good  progress  of  a  kind  on  land.  When  Captain 
Musgrave  and  his  crew  were  cast  away  for  twenty  months  on  the  Auckland  Islands,  they 
found  their  tracks  on  the  top  of  a  hill  four  miles  from  the  water.  Captain  Musgrave  also 
saw  the  mother  seals  teaching  their  puppies  to  swim ;  they  were  by  no  means  inclined  to 
do  this,  and  were  afraid  of  the  water — fairly  clear  presumptive  evidence  that  seals  have  only 
recently,  so  far  as  natural  time  is  counted,  taken  to  the  aquatic  life,  and  modified  their  form 
so  profoundly  as  they  have. 

The   PATAGONIAN    SEA-LION   is  perhaps    the    most    numerous    species,    though   its    numbers 


JJy  permission  of  Professor  Jiuntpt 

SEA-LION. 


York. 


Marine    Carnivora 


have  been  greatly  reduced  by  whalers  in  search  of  skins  and  oil.  The  first  sea-lion  ever 
brought  to  England  was  one  of  these.  The  Zoological  Society  did  not  import  it ;  they  found 
it  in  the  possession  of  a  Frenchman  called  Lecomte,  who  had  taken  it  on  the  Patagonian 
coast,  trained  it,  and  brought  it  home,  where  he  showed  it  in  a  caravan.  Its  training  was 
long  and  difficult;  it  bit  like  a  bull-dog,  and  Lecomte's  limbs  were  scarred  all  over  with  its 
bites.  In  spite  of  this  it  was  the  cleverest  performing  animal  ever  seen  up  to  that  time 
in  England.  This  sea-lion  died  from  swallowing  a  fish-hook  concealed  in  some  fish  with  which 
it  was  fed.  Lecomte  was  then  sent  out  by  the  Zoological  Society  to  obtain  some  more.  With 
the  greatest  difficulty  several  were  secured,  but  all  died  on  the  voyage  to  New  York.  Lecornte 
returned  and  obtained  others,  one  of  which  he  succeeded  in  bringing  to  England.  The 
cleverness  of  these  animals — or  rather  their  power  of  understanding  what  they  are  required  to 
do,  and  their  willingness  to  do  it — probably  exceeds  that  of  any  other  animal,  except  the 
elephant  and  the  dog.  Why  this  is  so  is  not  easy  to  conjecture,  except  that  the  brain  is 
more  developed.  They  have  been  taught  to  fetch  and  carry  on  dry  land  like  a  retriever,  in 
addition  to  the  well-known  tricks  exhibited  by  those  at  the  Zoo.  One  belonging  to  Barnum's 
Show  caught  strawberry-punnets  on  its  nose  when  they  were  thrown  to  it,  and  waved  a  torch, 
which  it  held  in  its  teeth  and  caught  after  tossing  it  into  the  air. 

The  sea-lions  are  much  more  powerful  animals  than  the  fur-seals.  The  male  of  Steller's 
sea-lion  attains  a  length  of  10  feet  and  a  weight  of  1,000  Ibs.  The  AUSTRALIAN  SEA-LION  is 
even  larger  than  that  of  the  North  Pacific.  Some  specimens  are  said  to  attain  12  feet  in 
length.  Captain  Cook  mentions  seeing  male  Patagonian  sea-lions  14  feet  long  and  from  8  to 
10  feet  in  circumference.  Though  none  are  now  seen  of  such  dimensions,  skulls  found  on  the 
beach  show  that  anciently  some  of  the  sea-lions  were  larger  than  any  now  known. 

It  should  be  noted  that  all  these  creatures  are  carnivorous,  yet  the  supply  of  food  for  them 
never  seems  to  fail,  as  undoubtedly  it  would  were  the  animals  dependent  for  their  food  on  land. 


By  permission  of  Her r  Car 


Hamburg. 


FEMALE    WALRUS. 


This  is  a  photograph  of  the  only  walrus  which  has  ever  been  tamed  and  taught  to  perform  tricks.  It  was  taken  when  she  was  two  years  old 
and  weighed  380  Ibs.  At  that  time  she  consumed  70  Ibs.  of  boneless  fish  a  day  ;  a  year  later  not  less  than  100  Ibs.  satisfied  her.  She  is  now  an 
inmate  of  the  Roumanian  Zoological  Gardens. 


140 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


By  permission  of  the  Hon.  Waller  Rotluschild]  \_Tring. 

MALE  WALRUS. 

The  "tusks"  of  the  walrus  are  put  to  many  practical  uses  during  life, 
and  after  death  are  much  valued  for  the  ivory. 


THE  WALRUS. 

The  distinguishing  features  of  the  walrus 
have  been  mentioned  in  the  introductory 
remarks  to  this  chapter.  It  should  be  added 
that  it  has  an  external  ear-passage,  though 
no  external  ears,  and  very  thick  and  bristly 
whiskers.  It  is  practically  confined  to  the 
Arctic  Circle,  though  once  its  range  extended 
to  the  British  coasts  (where  its  bones  are 
found  in  the  Suffolk  Crag)  and  to  Virginia. 
The  skull  of  one  was  found  in  the  peat  at 
Ely — evidence  that  it  once  ascended  rivers. 

The  walrus  stands  alone ;  it  is  a  real 
monster  of  the  deep.  Strange  and  awful 
stories  were  told  of  it  by  some  of  the  early 
voyagers  to  the  Arctic  Seas ;  but  Captain  Cook 

gave  a  very  different  account  of  his  impressions  of  the  walruses  which  he  saw  on  the  north  coast 
of  America  :  "  They  lie  in  herds  of  many  hundreds  on  the  ice,  huddling  over  one  another 
like  swine.  (They  lie  just  like  a  lot  of  pigs  in  a  yard.)  They  roar  and  bray  so  very  loud, 
that  in  the  night,  or  in  foggy  weather,  they  gave  us  notice  of  the  vicinity  of  the  ice 
before  we  could  see  it.  We  never  found  the  whole  herd  asleep,  some  being  always  on  the 
watch.  These,  on  the  approach  of  the  boat,  would  awaken  those  next  to  them ;  and  the 
alarm  being  thus  gradually  communicated,  the  whole  herd  would  awake  presently.  But  they 
were  seldom  in  a  hurry  to  get  away,  till  after  they  had  been  once  fired  at;  they  then  would 
tumble  over  one  another  into  the  sea  in  the  utmost  confusion.  They  did  not  appear  to  us 
to  be  that  dangerous  animal  which  authors  have  described,  not  even  when  attacked.  Vast 
numbers  of  them  would  follow  us,  and  come  close  up  to  the  boats ;  but  the  flash  of  the 
musket  in  the  pan,  or  the  bare  pointing  of  it,  would  send  them  down  in  an  instant.  The 
female  will  defend  her  young  to  the  last,  and  at  the  expense  of  her  own  life,  whether  in 
the  water  or  upon  the  ice ;  nor  will  the  young  one  quit  the  dam,  though  she  be  dead ;  so  that 
if  one  be  killed  the  other  is  certain  prey."  The  long  pendent  tusks,  bristly  whiskers,  small 
bloodshot  eyes,  and  great  size  lent  colour  to  the  terrifying  tales  of  the  walrus.  But  more 
ancient  voyagers  than  Captain  Cook  told  the  truth — that  the  "  morses,"  as  they  called  them, 
were  harmless  creatures,  which  often  followed  the  ships  from  sheer  curiosity.  The}-  sleep  on 
the  ice  like  elephantine  pigs,  and  dive  and  rout  on  the  sea-bottom  for  clams,  cuttle-fish, 
and  seaweeds.  Probably  the  long  tusks  are  used  to  rake  up  mussels  and  clams ;  they  also  help 
the  walrus  to  climb  on  to  the  ice.  A  young  walrus  was  kept  for  some  time  by  the  members 
of  the  Jackson-Harmsworth  Expedition,  and  was  found  to  be  an  amusing  pet.  One  kept  on 
board  a  Dundee  whaler  used  to  sleep  with  an  Eskimo  dog,  and  got  into  the  same  kennel 
with  it.  It  ate  blubber  and  salt  pork,  but  liked  the  sailors'  pea-soup  better  than  anything 
else ;  it  was  most  sociable,  and  could  not  bear  to  be  alone — would  tumble  down  the  hatchway 
to  seek  the  society  of  its  beloved  sailors,  and  scramble  into  the  cabin  if  the  door  were  open. 
When  it  fell  ill  and  before  it  died,  it  seemed  most  grateful  for  any  attention  shown  to  it.  The 
parent  walrus  shows  the  greatest  courage  in  trying  to  defend  the  young  one.  Walruses  are 
now  scarce  ;  but  as  the  ivory  is  the  only  part  of  them  of  much  present  value,  there  is  a  chance 
that  they  may  not  be  killed  off  entirely. 

THE  TRUE  SEALS. 

The  TRUE  SEALS,  with  their  greatly  modified  forms,  heads  set  almost  on  to  their  shoulders, 
with  no  neck  visible,  have  well-developed  claws  on  all  the  toes,  and  in  the  typical  species  have 
double-rooted  and  small  cheek-teeth.  The  number  of  the  incisors  is  variable.  The  GREY  SEAL 


Marine    Carnivora 


141 


of  the  North  Atlantic  is  a  large  species  which  visits  the  North  British  coasts  and  the  Hebrides. 
One  old  male  shot  off  the  coast  of  Connemara  weighed  nearly  400  Ibs.,  and  was  8  feet  long. 
It  is  found  off  Scandinavia  and  eastwards  to  the  coast  of  Greenland,  and  breeds  off  our  coasts 
in  October  and  November.  This  is  the  large  seal  occasionally  shot  up  Scotch  lochs.  Its  colour 
is  yellowish  grey,  varied  with  blots  and  patches  of  dirty  black  and  brown. 

THE  COMMON  SEAL. 

This  seal  is  smaller  than  the  preceding.  It  breeds  on  parts  of  the  Welsh  and  Cornish 
coasts,  and  is  found  on  both  sides  of  the  Atlantic  and  in  the  North  Pacific.  It  assembles  in  small 
herds,  and  frequents  lochs,  estuaries,  and  river-mouths.  In  the  summer  it  is  fond  of  following 
flounders  and  sea-trout  up  rivers.  A  few  years  ago  one  came  up  the  Thames  and  was  shot  at 
Richmond.  The  young  are  born  in  June,  and  are  greyish  white.  The  adults  are  variously 
mottled  with  grey,  brown,  and  black.  The  fondness  of  seals  for  music  is  proverbial.  Macgillivray, 
the  Scotch  naturalist,  said  that  in  the  Hebrides  he  could  bring  half  a  score  of  them  within  forty 
yards  of  him  by  a  few  notes  on  his  flute,  when  they  would  swim  about  with  their  heads  above 
water  like  so  many  black  dogs.  A  seal  was  captured  by  the  servants  of  a  landowner  near 
Clew  Bay,  on  the  west  coast  of  Ireland,  and  kept  tame  for  four  years.  It  became  so  attached 
to  the  house  that,  after  being  carried  out  to  sea  three  times,  it  returned  on  each  occasion. 
The  cruel  wretches  who  owned  it  then  blinded  it,  out  of  curiosity  to  see  whether  it  could  find 
its  way  back  sightless.  The  poor  animal  did  so  after  eight  days. 

The  common  seal  is  still  fairly  numerous  on  the  rocky  western  coasts  of  the  British 
Islands,  though  a  few  old  seals,  unable  to  forget  their  early  habits,  appear  now  and  then  in 
Morecambe  Bay  and  in  the  Solway.  It  is  not  uncommon  off  the  coasts  of  Caithness  and 
Sutherland.  It  also  frequents  a  sandbank  in  the  Dornoch  Firth,  though  it  has  been  much 
persecuted  there.  The  common 
seal  is  gregarious,  while  the  grey 
seal  usually  lives  only  in  pairs,  or 
at  most  in  small  companies.  Two 
or  three  dozen  like  to  lie  closely 
packed  on  shore  with  all  their 
heads  turning  seawards.  The 
white  hair  of  the  young  seals — 
which,  as  already  said,  are  born  in 
Jane — is  shed  in  a  day  or  two, 
when  the  young  take  to  the 
water.  With  regard  to  their  re- 
puted musical  proclivities,  some 
experiments  made  at  the  Zoo- 
logical Gardens  did  not  bear  out 

O 

this  belief;  but  there  is  much 
evidence  that  in  a  state  of  nature 
they  will  approach  and  listen  to 
music.  The  common  seal  has 
a  large  brain- capacity,  and  is  a 
very  intelligent  creature.  The 
upper  parts  of  this  seal  are 
yellowish  grey,  spotted  with  black 
and  brown,  the  under  parts  being 
silver-grey. 

The    HARP-SEAL    is    an    Arctic  £y  permission  of  HerrCarlffagenbeck]  [Hamburg. 

£      i  WALRUS   AND   SEA-LION. 

Or  ice-Seal  Which  Sometimes  t  ^^  photograph  of  the  wairus  temed  by  Herr  Carl  Hagenbeck.  Notice  the  sea-lion  in 
its  Way  to  Britain.  The  yOUn£  tie  right-hand  corner,  which  also  formed  one  of  the  same  performing  troupe. 


142 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


Photo  by  York  <k  Son] 


GREY  SEAL. 


[Sotting  Hill. 


Seals  are  not  so  well  adapted  as  sea-lions  for  getting  about  on  the  dry  land,  and,  except  for 
their  habit  of  coming  ashore  to  bask  in  the  sun,  are  thoroughly  aqxiatic. 


are  born  on  ice-floes.  It  is> 
found  in  great  herds  in  Davis 
Straits,  on  the  coasts  of  Green- 
land, and  in  the  greater  part  of 
the  frozen  Arctic  Ocean.  It  is 
the  animal  which  the  sealing- 
vessels  which  hunt  seals  for  oil 
and  "hair" — that  is,  the  leather 
of  the  skins,  not  the  fur— seek 
and  destroy.  In  the  old  days 
they  could  be  seen  in  tens  of 
thousands  blackening  square  miles 
of  ice.  They  are  still  so  numerous 
that  in  Danish  Greenland  more 
than  30,000  are  taken  each  year. 
The  KINGED  SEAL  is  a  small 
variety,  not  more  than  3  or  4  feet 
in  length,  found  in  great  numbers 
in  the  Far  North.  Its  flesh  is 
the  main  food  of  the  Eskimo, 

and  its  skin  the  clothing  of  the  Greenlanders.  The  seals  make  breathing-holes  in  the  ice. 
There  the  Eskimo  waits  with  uplifted  spear  for  hours  at  a  time,  until  the  seal  comes  up  to 
breathe,  when  it  is  harpooned.  The  BLADDER-NOSED  SEAL  is  a  large  spotted  variety,  with  a 
curious  bladder-like  crest  on  the  head  and  nose  of  the  male.  Unlike  all  other  seals,  it 
sometimes  resists  the  hunters  and  attacks  the  Eskimo  in  their  kayaks. 

If  any  evidence  were  needed  of  the  great  destruction  which  the  sealing  and  whaling 
industry  causes,  and  has  caused,  among  the  large  marine  animals,  the  case  of  the  ELEPHANT-SEALS 
ought  to  carry  conviction.  These  are  very  large  seals,  the  male  of  which  has  a  projecting  nose 
like  a  proboscis.  They  were  formerly  found  both  north  and  south  of  the  Equator,  their  main 
haunts  being  on  the  coast  of  California,  and  on  the  islands  of  the  South  Pacific  and  Antarctic 
Ocean.  They  are  gigantic  compared  with  the  common  seals,  some  of  the  males  being  from  16 
to  20  feet  long.  Cuttle-fish  and  seaweed  are  the  principal  food  of  this  seal,  which  was  formerly 
seen  in  astonishing  numbers.  The  whaling-ships  which  hunted  both  these  seals  and  sperm- 
whales  at  the  same  time  almost  destroyed  those  which  bred  on  the  more  accessible  coasts,  just 
as  the  earlier  whalers  entirely  destroyed  Steller's  sea-cow,  and  their  modern  descendants 
destroyed  the  southern  right-whales.  The  elephant-seal  is  now  very  scarce,  and  when  one  is 
killed  the  skin  is  regarded  as  something  of  a  curiosity. 

In  the  records  of  the  voyage  of  the  Challenger  it  is  stated  that  there  were  still  great 
numbers  of  the  elephant-seals  surviving  near  Heard  Island,  and  not  a  few  round  the  shores  of 
Kerguelen  Island.  Professor  Moseley  states  that  on  the  windward  shore  of  Heard  Island  "there 
is  an  extensive  beach,  called  Long  Beach.  This  was  covered  with  thousands  of  sea-elephants  in 
the  breeding-season;  but  it  is  only  accessible  by  land,  and  then  only  by  crossing  two  glaciers.  ' 
No  boat  can  safely  land  on  this  shore;  consequently  men  are  stationed  on  the  beach,  and 
live  there  in  huts.  Their  duty  is  constantly  to  drive  the  sea-elephants  from  this  beach  into  the 
sea,  which  they  do  with  whips  made  out  of  the  hides  of  the  seals  themselves.  The  beasts 
thus  ousted  swim  off,  and  often  'haul  up,'  as  the  term  is,  upon  the  accessible  beach  beyond. 
In  very  stormy  weather,  when  they  are  driven  into  the  sea,  they  are  forced  to  betake  themselves 
to  the  sheltered  side  of  the  island.  Two  or  three  old  males,  which  are  called  '  beach-masters,' 
hold  a  beach  for  themselves  and  cover  it  with  cows,  but  allow  no  other  males  to  haul  up. 
They  light  furiously,  and  one  man  told  me  that  he  had  seen  an  old  male  take  a  young  one 
up  in  his  teeth  and  throw  him  over,  lifting  him  in  the  air.  The  males  show  fight  when 
whipped,  and  are  with  great  difficulty  driven  into  the  sea.  The  females  give  birth  to  their 


'GREY  SEAL. 


Note  the  difference  between  the  seal's  and  the  sea-lion's  hind  flippers.     When  on  land,  the  seal  advances  by  a  jumping  movement,  produced  by  the 

muscles  of  the  body,  assisted  forward  by  the  front  flippers^ 

143 


144 


The    Living   Animals    of    the    World 


young  soon  after  their  arrival.  The  new-born  young  ones  are  almost  black,  unlike  the  adults, 
which  are  of  a  light  slate-brown.  They  are  suckled  by  the  female  for  some  time,  and  then 
left  to  themselves,  lying  on  the  beach,  where  they  seem  to  grow  fat  without  further  feeding. 
They  are  always  allowed  by  the  sealers  to  lie  like  this,  '  in  order  to  make  more  oil.'  This 
account  was  corroborated  by  all  the  sealers  I  met,  but  I  do  not  understand  it.  Probably 
the  cows  visit  their  offspring  unobserved  from  time  to  time.  Peron  says  that  both  parent 
elephant-seals  stay  with  the  young  without  taking  any  food  at  all  till  the  latter  are  about 
six  or  seven  weeks'  old,  and  that  the  old  ones  conduct  the  young  to  the  water  and  carefully 
keep  them  company.  The  rapid  increase  in  weight  is  in  accordance  with  Peron's  account. 
Ooodridge  gives  a  somewhat  different  story — namely,  that  after  the  females  leave  the 
young  the  old  males  and  the  pups  proceed  inland,  as  far  as  two  miles  sometimes,  and 
stop  without  food  for  more  than  a  month,  during  which  time  they  lose  fat.  The  male 
sea-elephants  come  ashore  for  the  purpose  of  breeding  about  the  middle  of  August,  the 
females  a  little  later." 

Formerly  the  elephant-seals  were  found  as  far  north  as  the  Californian  coast,  where  their 
capture  was  the  main  business  of  the  sealing-traders.  This  species  also  formed  the  mainstay 
of  the  far  southern  sealers.  As  the  elephant-seals  were  killed  off,  so  the  business  became  less 
and  less  profitable.  It  is  to  be  hoped  that  the  voyages  of  exploration  to  the  Antarctic  ice-fringe 
will  not  lead  to  the  discovery  of  fresh  sealing-grounds,  for  if  this  is  the  case  there  is  little 
chance  that  any  of  the  southern  seals  will  escape  entire  destruction.  Some  form  of  close 
time  has  already  been  enforced  in  the  pursuit  of  the  hair-seals  of  Northern  Europe;  but  it 
is  very  desirable  that  the  species  still  found  on  our  own  coasts  should  also  receive  protection. 
Except  when  they  paid  visits  to  the  fixed  salmon-nets,  they  never  did  any  harm ;  and  fixed 
nets  are  now  illegal.  When  a  seal  learned  the  use  of  the  stake-nets,  which  these  animals 
were  very  quick  to  understand,  it  would  wait  quietly  till  it  saw  a  fish  caught,  and  then  swim 
up  and  carry  it  off  before  the  fishermen  could  take  it. 

Two  species — namely,  the  COMMON  SEAL  and  GREY  SEAL — still  regularly  visit  our  shores. 
The  common  seal  breeds  on  our  south-western  coasts,  and  the  grey  seal  off  the  Hebrides.  If 
the  common  seal  were  accorded  a  close  time,  its  numbers  would  probably  increase ;  and  the 
spectacle  of  such  interesting  creatures  visible  on  our  coast  could  not  fail  to  be  of  great 
interest.  All  the  old  legends  of  mermaids  and  wild  men  of  the  sea  are  based  on  the  capture 
of  seals.  Perhaps  the  most  ancient  is  one  which  records  such  a  capture  in  the  river  near 
Orford  Castle,  in  Suffolk,  in  the  reign  of  Henry  II.  The  ignorant  soldiers  were  persuaded 
that  it  was  a  man,  and  tortured  it  to  make  it  speak.  They  then  took  it  to  the  church, 

and  showed  it  the  sacred  emblems. 
As  it  "  showed  no  reverence," 
they  took  it  back  to  the  castle, 
and  fed  it  on  fish.  It  was  allowed 
to  go  into  the  river,  but  returned 
to  its  captors  of  its  own  accord. 
Later  it  swam  away  to  the  sea. 
The  monk  who  recorded  the  story 
stated  his  conviction  that  this 
seal  was  an  evil  spirit  which  had 
got  into  the  body  of  a  drowned 
sailor.  A  grey  seal  was  taken 
not  many  years  ago  in  the  creek 
leading  up  to  the  little  town  of 
Wells,  in  Norfolk.  It  was  so  tame 

By.  permission  of  tit*  Hon.  Walter  Rothschild]  [Tr'uiy.  that      the      fishermen      Caught      it      by 

HARP-SEAL,  throwing  coats    over  it  as  it  lay  on 

The  harp-seal  ccmes.  from  Greenland.  the    mud. 


£y perniit 


[  Tring. 


SEA-ELEPHAXT. 


These  enormous  seals  (about  20  feet  in  length)  are  becoming  very  scarce.  When  they  come  ashore,  they  are  easily  approached,  though 
•not  so  easily  killed.  They  are  much  valued  for  their  oil.  Note  the  trunk-like  prolongation  of  the  nose,  which,  when  the  animal  is  excited, 
becomes  distended. 

145  19 


CHAPTER   IX. 


THE    RODENTS,    OR    GNAWING    ANIMALS. 


T 


HE  Rodents,  or  Gnawing  Mammals,  have  all  the 
same  general  type  of  teeth,  from  which  the  order 
receives  its  distinctive  name.  There  are  a  very 
large  number  of  families  and  of  genera  among  the 
rodents,  more  than  in  any  other  order  of  mammals. 
All  the  rodents  possess  a  pair  of  long  chisel-shaped 
incisor  teeth  in  each  jaw.  The  ends  of  these  teeth 
are  worn  into  a  sharp  edge  which  cuts  like  a  steel- 
tool.  In  most  rodents  these  are  the  only  teeth  in- 
that  part  of  the  jaw,  a  wide  gap  intervening  between 
them  and  the  other  teeth.  The  hares,  rabbits,  and 
calling-hares  have  a  minute  pair  of  teeth  set  just 
behind  the  large  pair  in  the  upper  jaw.  The  grinding- 
teeth  are  set  far  back,  and  are  never  more  than  six 
in  number,  these  being  sometimes  reduced  to  four. 
Rodents  generally  have  five  toes  on  the  fore  feet;  in< 
the  hind  feet  there  are  in  some  cases  only  four,  or 
even  three.  None  of  the  species  are  of  great  size; 
the  largest,  the  CAPYBARA,  a  water-living  animal  of 
South  America,  is  about  the  dimensions  of  a  small 
pig.  But  the  number  of  species  of  small  rodents  is 
prodigious,  and 
their  fecundity  so 

great      that      they  ^^ 

constantly    increase 
in        favourable 

seasons  until  they  become  a  plague.  Voles,  lemmings,  field- 
mice,  and  rabbits  are  constant  sources  of  loss  to  agriculture 
in  their  seasons  of  extraordinary  increase.  Most  rodents  feed  ^K.  l£ 

on  vegetables,  though  rats  and  mice  have  developed  car- 
nivorous tastes.  No  rodents  have  canine  teeth. 


Photo  ly  W.  P.  Dando]  [Regent's  Park. 

CAPYBARA. 

This,  the  largest  of  the  Rodents,  is  found  by  the  rivers  of 
South  America. 


THE  SQUIRRELS. 

Those  of  the  order  of  Gnawing  Animals  which  have  only 
two  incisors  in  each  jaw,  and  no  rudimentary  teeth  like 
those  possessed  by  the  hares,  are  called  "Simple-toothed 
Rodents."  Of  these  the  family  usually  placed  first  in  order 
is  that  of  the  SQUIRRELS  and  their  allies.  The  True  Squirrels 
and  Marmots  have  five  molar  teeth  on  each  side  of  the 
upper  jaw. 

Squirrels  are  found  in  nearly  every  temperate  part  of 
the  globe,  from  Norway  to  Japan,  and  in  very  great  numbers 

146 


Jiy  permission  of  Professor  Bumpus,  At«-  1'urk. 

FLYING-SQUIRREL. 
One  of  the  small  species  of  the  group. 


The    Rodents,    or    Gnawing    Animals 


147 


in  India  and  the  tropics. 
Everywhere  they  are  favour- 
ites ;  and  though  they  do 
some  mischief  in  highly 
cultivated  countries,  they  are 
among  the  most  harmless  of 
creatures.  Most  of  them 
live  on  wild  nuts  and  the 
kernels  of  fruit ;  they  suck 
eggs  occasionally,  and  in 
Canada  will  come  to  the 
traps  in  extreme  cold  and 
eat  the  meat  with  which  they 
are  baited. 

THE  RED  SQUIRREL. 

This,  the  common 
squirrel  of  England,  is  repre- 
sentative of  the  whole  order. 
In  old  Scandinavian  legends 
the  squirrel  is  represented 
as  the  messenger  of  the  gods, 
who  carried  the  news  of  what 
was  going  on  in  the  world 
to  the  other  animals.  To- 
gether with  its  close  relations, 
it  is  the  most  graceful  of 
all  climbers  of  trees.  With 
its  long  tail  waving  behind 
it,  it  races  up  or  down  the 
trunks  and  across  the  forest 
from  branch  to  branch  as 
easily  as  a  horse  gallops  across 
a  plain.  It  will  descend 
the  trunk  head  downwards 
as  fast  as  it  runs  up. 
Squirrels  pair  for  life,  and 


Photo  by  A.  S.  liudland  &  Sons. 


FLYING-SQUIRREL. 


The  large  flying-squirrels  are  mainly  nocturnal.    They  can  leap  a  distance  of  40  feet  with  the  aid 
of  the  parachutes  of  skin  stretching  from  the  fore  to  the  hind  limbs. 


are    most    affectionate    little 

creatures,  always  playing  or  doing  gymnastics  together.  The  squirrel  builds  a  very  good 
house,  in  which  he  shows  himself  far  more  sensible  than  the  monkeys  and  apes  ;  it  is  made 
of  leaves,  moss,  and  sticks.  The  sticks  come  first  as  a  platform;  then  this  is  carpeted,  and 
a  roof  put  on.  No  one  who  has  seen  English  squirrels  at  work  house-building  has  ever 
described  exactly  how  they  do  it;  it  is  the  best  nest  made  by  any  mammal,  thoroughly 
well  fitted  together  and  waterproof.  In  this  nest  the  young  squirrels  are  born  in  the 
month  of  June  ;  that  year  they  keep  with  the  parents,  and  do  not  "  set  up  for  themselves  " 
till  the  next  spring.  The  red  colour  is  very  persistent  in  squirrels.  One  Chinese  variety, 
black  and  red,  has  even  bright  red  teeth.  In  cold  countries  the  red  squirrels  make  stores  of 
food,  but  spend  much  of  the  winter  asleep. 

It  is  a  great  pity  that  in  England  no  one  tries  to  tame  the  squirrels  as  they  do  in 
America;  there  they  are  the  greatest  ornament  of  the  parks  of  cities,  coming  down  to  be 
fed  as  tamely  as  our  sparrows.  The  writer  has  known  one  instance  in  which  a  lady 


148 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


induced  wild  squirrels  to  pay 
daily  visits  to  her  bedroom  for 
food  ;  they  used  to  climb  up 
the  ivy  and  jump  in  at  the 
open  window.  The  great 
enemies  of  squirrels  near  houses 
are  the  cats,  which  kill  all  the 
young  ones  when  they  first 
come  down  from  the  trees. 
In  a  garden  in  Berkshire  a 
pair  of  squirrels  had  a  family 
every  summer  for  five  years, 
but  none  ever  survived  the  cats' 
persistent  attacks.  These 
squirrels  were  most  amusing 
and  improvident.  They  used 
to  hide  horse-chestnuts,  small 
potatoes,  kernels  of  stone  fruit, 
bulbs  of  crocuses,  and  other 
treasures  in  all  kinds  of  places, 
and  then  forget  them.  After 
deep  snows  they  might  be  seen 
scampering  about  looking  into 
every  hole  and  crevice  to  see 
whether  that  happened  to  be  the  place  where  they  had  hidden  something  useful.  Much  of  the 
store  was  buried  among  the  roots  of  trees  and  bushes,  and  quite  hidden  when  the  snow  fell. 


Photo  ly  IP.  P.  Dando]  [Regent's  Park. 

DORSAL   SQUIRREL  FROM   CENTRAL  AMERICA. 

A  most  beautiful  species.     The  main  colour  is  red,  but  the  back  is  French  grey,  and  the  tail 
French  grey  and  red  mingled. 


THE  GREY  SQUIRREL. 

In  Northern  Europe,  and  across  Northern  Asia  and  America,  a  large  grey  squirrel  is  found. 
From  its  fur  the  "  squirrel-cloaks "  are  made.  These  squirrels  live  mainly  on  the  seeds  of 
pines  in  winter,  and  on  wild  fruits,  shoots,  and  berries  in  summer.  It  has  been  noticed  that 
they  will  entirely  forsake  some  great  area  of  forest  for  a  year  or  two,  and  as  suddenly  return 
to  it.  The  marten  and  the  sable  are  the  great  enemies  of  the  grey  squirrel,  but  the  eagle-owl 
and  goshawk  also  kill  numbers  of  them.  In  many  countries  the  flesh  of  the  squirrel  is  eaten. 

The  grey-and-black  squirrel  of  the 
United  States  was  thus  described  some 
sixty  years  ago :  "  It  rises  with  the 
sun,  and  continues  industriously  en- 
gaged in  the  search  for  food  for  four 
or  five  hours  every  morning.  During 
the  warm  weather  of  spring  it  pre- 

!4L.  w^Htt  BP"^%bif^P  pares   its   nest    on    the    branch    of  a 

tree,  constructing  it  first  of  dried 
sticks,  which  it  breaks  off,  or,  if  these 
are  not  at  hand,  of  green  twigs  as 
thick  as  a  finger,  which  it  gnaws  off 
from  the  boughs.  These  it  lays  in  the 
fork  of  a  tree,  so  as  to  make  a  frame- 

to  by  A.  s.  Rudiand  <£.•  sons.  work.      It   lines  this  framework    with 

ASIATIC  CHIPMUNKS.  leaves,  and  over  these  again  it  spreads 

Small  ground-aquirrels  which  store  food  for  the  winter.  mOSS.         In    making    the    n6St,    the    pair 


The    Rodents,    or    Gnawing    Animals 


149 


Photo  l,it  If.  P.  Dando]  [Regent's  Park. 

KED-FOOTED    GROUND-SQTJIBREL. 

This  species  has  some  of  the  characteristics  of  the  tree-squirrels,  among 
them  the  bushy  tail. 


is  usually  engaged  for  several  days,  spending 
an  hour  in  the  morning  hard  at  work.  The 
noise  they  make  in  cutting  the  sticks  and 
carrying  material  is  heard  at  some  distance." 
In  winter  they  reside  entirely  in  the  holes 
of  trees,  where  their  young  are  in  most 
cases  born.  Green  corn  and  young  wheat 
suffered  greatly  from  their  depredations,  and 
a  wholesale  war  of  destruction  used  to  be 
waged  against  them  everywhere.  In  Penn- 
sylvania an  old  law  offered  threepence  a 
bead  from  the  public  treasury  for  every 
squirrel  destroyed,  and  in  1749  the  enormous 
sum  of  £8,000  was  paid  out  of  the  public 
funds  for  this  purpose.  In  those  days  vast 
migrations  of  these  squirrels  used  to  take 
place,  exciting  not  only  the  wonder  but  the 
fear  of  the  old  settlers.  In  the  Far  North- 
west multitudes  of  squirrels  used  to  congre- 
gate in  different  districts,  forming  scattered 
bands,  which  all  moved  in  an  easterly  direc- 
tion, gathering  into  larger  bodies  as  they 
went.  Neither  mountains  nor  rivers  stopped 

them.       On  they  came,  a  devouring  army,  laying  waste  the  corn-  and  wheat-fields,  until   guns. 

cats,  hawks,  foxes,  and  owls  destroyed  them. 

THE  FLYING-SQUIRRELS. 

One  of  the  finest  squirrels  is  the  TAGUAN,  a  large  squirrel  of  India,  Ceylon,  and  the 
Malacca  forests.  It  is  a  "flying-squirrel,"  with  a  body  2  feet  long,  and  a.  bushy  tail 
of  the  same  length.  Being  nocturnal,  it  is  not  often  seen ;  but  when  it  leaps  it  unfolds 
a  flap  of  skin  on  either  side,  which  is  stretched  (like  a  sail)  when  the  fore  and  hind 
limbs  are  extended  in  the  act  of  leaping;  it  then  forms  a  parachute.  The  colour  of 
this  squirrel  is  grey,  brown,  and  pale  chestnut.  There  are  a  number  of  different  flying- 
squirrels  in  China,  Formosa,  and  Japan,  and  on  the  forests  of  Central  America.  One  small 
flying-squirrel,  the  POLATOUCHE,  is  found  in  North-east  Russia  and  Siberia.  It  flies  from 
tree  to  tree  with  immense  bounds, 
assisted  by  the  "  floats  "  on  its  sides. 
Though  only  6  inches  long,  it  can 
cover  distances  of  30  feet  and  more 
without  difficulty.  Wherever  there 
are  birch  forests  this  little  squirrel 
is  found.  One  nearly  as  small  is 
a  native  of  the  Southern  States  of 
America,  ranging  as  far  south  as  Guate- 
mala. 

In  Africa,  south  of  the  Sahara, 
the  place  of  the  Oriental  flying- 
squirrel  is  taken  by  a  separate  family. 
They  have  a  different  arrangement  of 

the  parachute  from  that  of  the  flying-  Photo  ^  Dr-  R-  w-  Shufeldt] 

squirrels  of  India.     This  wide  fold  of  BLACK  FOX-SQUIRREL, 

skin      is       Supported       in       the       Asiatic  The  fur  of  this  species  is  as  valuable  as  that  of  the  grey  squirrel. 


[  Washington. 


150 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


squirrels  by  a  cartilage  extending  from 
the  wrist.  In  the  South  African 
flying-squirrels  this  support  springs 
from  the  elbow,  not  from  the  wrist ; 
they  have  also  horny  plates  on  the 
under-surface  of  the  tail.  Many  of 
the  tropical  flying-squirrels  are  quite 
large  animals,  some  being  as  large  as 
a  small  cat. 

Mr.  W.  H.  Adams  says  of  PEL'S 
FLYING-SQUIKKEL,  a  West  African 
species  :  "  These  squirrels  come  out  of 
their  holes  in  the  trees  some  hours 
after  sunset,  and  return  long  before 
riwto  ly  scholastic  Photo.  Co.]  [i>ano,is  Green,  daybreak.  They  are  only  visible  on 

LONG-TAILED  MARMOT.  bright  moonlight  nights.     The  natives 

The  marmots  live  by  preference  on  high  and  cold  mountains  just  below  the         Say     that     they     do     liot     COme     Out     of 
line  of  eternal  snow  in  Europe.     In  Asia,  where  the  snow-line  is  higher,  they  arc        ±1      •       i      i  11     •  ,1 

found  at  altitudes  of  12,000  feet.  thelr     holes    at    a11    m    stormy    weather, 

or  on  very  dark  nights;  they  live  on 

berries  and  fruits,  being  especially  fond  of  the  palm-oil  nut,  which  they  take  to  their  nests 
to  peel  and  eat.  They  pass  from  tree  to  tree  with  great  rapidity,  usually  choosing  to  jump 
from  a  higher  branch  to  a  lower  one,  and  then  climbing  up  again  to  make  a  fresh  start.  .  .  . 
They  litter  about  twice  in  a  year,  once  in  September.  The  young  remain  in  the  nest  for 
about  nine  weeks,  during  which  they  are  fed  by  the  old  ones  on  such  food  as  shoots  and 
kernels.  They  do  not  attempt  to  jump  or  'fly'  till  the  end  of  that  period,  extending  the 
length  of  their  jumps  with  their  growth." 

The  ETHIOPIAN  SPINY  SQUIRRELS  have  coarse  spiny  fur;  the  little  INDIAN  PALM-SQUIRREL 
is  marked  with  longitudinal  dark  and  light  stripes  on  the  back;  others  have  light  bands  on 
their  flanks. 

THE   GROUND-SQUIRRELS. 

Many  tree-living  squirrels  pass  a  good  deal  of  their  time  on  the  ground ;  but  there 
are  others  which  burrow  like  mice,  and,  though  they  climb  admirably,  prefer  to  make  their 
nest,  and  the  regular  squirrel's  store  of  nuts,  in  the  earth,  and  not  in  the  branches.  The 
best  known  is  the  little  CHIPMUNK  of  the  United  States,  the  favourite  pet  of  all  American 
children.  There  are  many  kinds  of  chipmunks,  all  of  which  have  pouches  in  their  cheeks 
for  carrying  food.  The  commonest  is  the  STRIPED  CHIPMUNK.  It  is  from  8  to  10  inches 
long,  with  white  stripes,  bordered  with  dark  brown  on  each  side.  The  chipmunks'  hoards  of 
grain  and  nuts  are  so  large  that  the  Indians  used  to  rob  them  in  times  of  scarcity.  There 
is  also  a  ground-squirrel  in  Northern  Europe  and  Northern  Asia  with  much  the  same  habits 
as  the  chipmunk. 

The  burrows  of  the  chipmunks  are  deep  and  extensive,  and  into  them  these  rodents 
convey  such  quantities  of  grain  and  maize  as  to  inflict  considerable  loss  on  the  farmer.  The 
SIBERIAN  GROUND-SQUIRREL  has  been  known  to  conceal  over  8  Ibs.  weight  of  corn  in  its  hole. 
This  has  a  sleeping-chamber  at  the  end,  filled  with  moss  and  leaves,  on  which  the  family 
sleep.  From  this  side  passages  are  dug,  all  leading  to  chambers  stocked  with  food,  often  far 
in  excess  of  the  wants  of  these  provident  little  creatures.  The  surplus  stores  are  said  to  be 
eaten  in  the  spring  by  wild  boars  and  bears. 

THE   PRAIRIE-DOGS   AND  MARMOTS. 

Between  squirrels  which  live  in  holes  in  the  ground  and  the  marmots  and  their 
relations  no  great  gap  is  found.  These  creatures  drop  the  climbing  habit  and  increase 


The    Rodents,    or    Gnawing    Animals 

that  of  burrowing.  In  disposition  most  of  them  are  still  very  squirrel-like,  though  thov  gain 
something  in  solemnity  of  demeanour  by  never  going  far  from  their  holes.  A  prairie-dog 
or  marmot  is  like  a  squirrel  which  has  left  society  and  settled  down  in  a  suburb.  The  little- 
creatures  known  in  America  as  PRAIRIE-DOGS  have  in  Northern  Europe  and  the  steppes  of  Asia 
some  first  cousins,  called  SUSLIKS.  Both  live  in  colonies,  burrow  quickly  and  well,  feed 
on  grass,  and  have  a  habit  of  sitting  bolt  upright  outside  their  holes,  keeping  a  look-out  for 
enemies.  The  prairie-dogs  also  bark  like  a  little  dog  when  alarmed.  Before  going  to  sleep, 
the  latter  always  carry  the  dry  grass  on  which  they  slept  out  of  their  burrow,  and  carefully 
bite  up  into  short  lengths  a  fresh  supply  to  make  their  beds.  The  susliks  and  prairie-dogs- 
are  of  a  khaki  colour,  like  the  sand  in  which  they  delight  to  burrow.  Every  one  has  heard 
that  the  little  burrowing-owls  live  in  the  same  holes  in  company  with  the  prairie-dogs,  and' 


By  permission  of  the  New  York  Zoological  Society. 

PRAIRIE-DOGS,   OR  MARMOTS. 
A  most  characteristic  picture.    It  shows  the  prairie-dogs'  method  of  holding  their  food  while  they  eat,  or  cutting  up  grass  to  make  their  teds. 

that  the  rattlesnake  sometimes  eats  both  the  young  prairie-dogs  and  the  young  owls.  An 
acquaintance  of  the  writer  who  had  killed  a  rattlesnake  actually  took  a  young  prairie-dog  from 
its  mouth.  The  snake  had  not  struck  it  with  the  poison,  but  had  begun  to  swallow  it 
uninjured.  It  was  still  alive,  and  recovered. 

The  suslik  was  once  found  in  England;  its  remains,  with  those  of  other  steppe  animals, 
are  found  in  the  river  gravels  and  brick  earth  in  the  London  basin.  The  prairie-dogs  form  a- 
kind  of  connecting-link  between  the  susliks  and  the  true  marmots.  They  have  short  ears, 
short  tails,  rounded  bodies,  and  possess  great  powers  of  digging.  When  a  prairie-dog  has 
nothing  better  to  do,  it  usually  spends  its  time  either  in  digging  holes  or  in  cutting  up 
grass  or  anything  handy  to  make  its  bed  with.  Young  prairie-dogs  are  not  so  large  as  a 
mouse  when  born.  The  adult  animals  feed  almost  entirely  on  grass  and  weeds  in  their  wild 
state ;  they  seem  quite  independent  of  water,  and  able  to  live  in  the  driest  places. 

The    ALPINE    MARMOT    is  a   much    larger   species  than   the   prairie-dog.      It   lives   on  the 


152 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


Alps-  just  below  the  line  of  perpetual  snow.  From  five  to  fifteen  marmots  combine  in 
colonies,  dig  very  deep  holes,  and,  like  the  prairie-dogs,  carefully  line  them  with  grass ;  they 
also  store  up  dry  grass  for  food.  In  autumn  they  grow  very  fat,  and  are  then  dug  out  of 
the  burrows  by  the  mountaineers  for  food.  Young  marmots  used  to  be  tamed  and  carried 
about  by  the  Savoyard  boys,  but  this  practice  is  now  rare.  The  monkey  is  probably  more 
attractive  to  the  public  than  the  fat  and  sleepy  marmot.  Marmots  are  about  the  size  of 
a  rabbit,  and  have  close  iron-grey  fur. 

Tschudi,  the  naturalist  of  the  Alps,  says  of  the  marmots  that  they  are  the  only  mammal 
which  inhabits  the  region  of  the  snows.  No  other  warm-blooded  quadrupeds  live  at  such  an 
altitude.  In  spring,  when  the  lower  snows  melt,  there  are  generally  small  pieces  of  short  turf 
near  their  holes,  as  well  as  great  rocks,  precipices,  and  stones.  Here  they  make  their  burrows, 
outside  which  they  feed,  with  a  sentinel  always  posted  to  warn  them  of  the  approach  of  the 
eagle  or  lammergeir.  The  young  marmots,  from  four  to  six  in  number,  are  born  in  June. 
When  they  first  appear  at  the  mouth  of  the  holes,  they  are  bluish  grey;  later  the  fur  gains 
a  brownish  tint.  The  burrows  are  usually  at  a  height  of  not  less  than  7,000  or  8,000  feet. 
Winter  comes  on  apace.  By  the  end  of  autumn  the  ground  is  already  covered  with  snow, 
and  the  marmots  retire  to  sleep  through  the  long  winter.  As  they  do  not  become  torpid  for 
some  time,  they  require  food  when  there  is  none  accessible ;  this  they  store  up  in  the  form 
of  dried  grass,  which  they  cut  in  August,  and  leave  outside  their  burrows  for  a  time  to  be 
turned  into  hay. 

The  ALPINE  MARMOT  is  also  found  in  the  Carpathians  and  the  Pyrenees.  Another  species, 
the  BOBAC,  ranges  eastward  from  the  German  frontier  across  Poland,  Kussia,  and  the  steppes 
of  Asia  to  Kamchatka.  In  Ladak  and  Western  Tibet  a  short-tailed  species,  the  HIMALAYAN 
MARMOT,  is  found,  sometimes  living  at  a  height  of  nearly  17,000  feet.  The  GOLDEN  MARMOT 
is  found  in  the  Pamirs. 

THE  BEAVERS. 

The  BEAVERS  are  classed  as  the  last  family  of  the  squirrel-like  group  of  the  Eodents,  and 
the  largest  creatures  of  that  order  in  the  northern  hemisphere.  The  value  of  their  fur  has 
caused  their  destruction  in  great  measure  where  they  were  once  numerous,  and  has  led  to 

their  total  extirpation  where  there 
is  evidence  that  they  existed  as  a 
not  uncommon  animal.  They  were 
formerly  distributed  over  the  greater 
part  of  Europe.  In  England  semi- 
fossilised  remains  show  that  they  were 
not  uncommon.  In  Wales  beavers' 
skins  were  mentioned  in  the  year 
940  in  the  laws  of  Howel  Dha.  and 
in  1188  Giraldus  stated  that  they 
were  living  on  the  river  Teify,  in 
Cardiganshire.  Beavers  were  formerly 
found  in  France,  especially  on  the 
Rhone,  where  a  few  are  still  said  to 
survive,  in  Germany,  Austria,  Eussia, 
Poland,  and  in  Sweden  and  Norway, 
on  the  rivers  Dvvina  and  Petchora,  and 
on  the  great  rivers  of  Siberia.  A 
few  still  remain  in  two  districts  of 

By  permission  of  the  Acw  Tort  Zoological  Society. 

AMERICAN  BEAVEE.  Norway,    and    some    were    known    to 

The  engineering  feats  of  the  beavers,  in  damming  streams  and  forming  pools,  are  the        ireqiient      the       Elbe      in       18/8.         The 
most  remarkable  achievements  performed  by  living  animals.  MoldaU,    in     Bohemia,    is    also    Credited 


153 


20 


154 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


BEAVER. 

This  is  a.  photograph  of  a  swimming  beaver.     Note  the  advantage  which  it  has  taken  of  the 
eddy  in  the  stream. 


with  a  colony ;  but  parts  of  the 
Danube  are  believed  to  be  the 
chief  haunt  of  the  European  beaver 
at  the  present  time.  The  American 
beaver,  though  its  range  has 
greatly  contracted,  is  still  sufficiently 
numerous  for  its  fur  to  be  a  valuable 
item  in  the  winter  fur-sales. 

The  beaver's  tail  is  flattened 
like  a  paddle  and  covered  with 
scales ;  its  hind  feet  are  webbed 
between  the  toes;  it  has  sharp 
claws,  wrhich  aid  it  in  scratching 
up  mud,  and  a  thick,  close  furr 
with  long  brown  hair  above,  and 
a  most  beautiful  and  close  under- 
fur,  which,  when  the  long  hairs 
have  all  been  removed,  forms  the 
beaver-fur  of  which  hats  were  once 

made,  and  trimmings    for   ladies'   jackets   and    men's   fur    coats   are    now  manufactured.      There 

are  two  separate  lines  of  interest  in  connection  with  the  animal — political  and  zoological.     The 

value  of  the   fur  was  anciently  such  that,  when  the  first   French  explorers  began  to  search  the 

Canadian  lakes,  and  later  when  the  Hudson  Bay  Company  succeeded   to  the  French  dominion, 

the  history  of  Canada  was  largely  bound  up  with  beaver-catching  and  the  sale  of  the  skins.     In 

the  early  days  of  the  Company  the  "  standard  of  trade  "  of  the    North-west  was   a   beaver-skin. 

For  nearly  a  century  the  northern  territories  were  organised,  both  under  French  and  English  rule, 

with  a  view  to  the  beaver  trade.     The  beaver  was,  and  is,  the  crest  of  the  Canadian  Dominion. 
The  beavers'  engineering  feats  have  for  their  object  to  keep  up  a  uniform  depth  of  water 

in    the    streams    where    they    live.       On    large    rivers    there    is    always    enough    water   for   the 

beaver    to    swim    in    safety    from    its    enemies,    and    to    cover    the    mouth    of    the    hole   which 

it    makes    in    the    bank,    just 

as     a     water-rat     does.       But 

on    small     streams,    especially 

in    Canada,   where    during   the 

winter   the   frost   prevents    the 

springs    from     running,    there 

is  always  the    danger  that  the 

water  may  fall  so  low  that  the 

beavers  would  be  left  in  shallow 

water,  a  prey  to  the  wolverine, 

wolf,  lynx,  or   human  enemies. 

To    keep    up    the    water,    the 

beavers    make   a   dyke  or  dam 

across  the   stream.     This    they 

go     on     building     up     and 

strengthening   until  they  have 

ponded  back  a  large  pool.     In 

time,   as   they   never    seem   to 

stop  adding  to  their  dam,  the 

pool  floods  the  ground  on  either 

side  of  the  stream  and  makes 

&  small  lake.     It  flows  over  the 


Photo  liy  Dr.  R.  W.  Shufeldt] 


[  Washington. 


MUSK-RAT. 


A  small  water  rodent,  a  native  of  the  North  American  rivers.     Immense  numbers  are  killed  for 

the  sake  of  their  fur. 


The    Rodents,    or    Gnawing    Animals  155 

parts  of  the  bank  where  their  holes  are;  these  also  become  filled  up,  because  the  beavers  carry 
into  them  every  day  fresh  quantities  of  wood-chips  to  make  their  beds.  The  beavers  then 
scrape  out  the  earth  on  the  top,  pile  sticks  over  this,  plaster  the  sticks  with  mud,  and  so  build 
a  dome  over  their  bedroom.  In  time  this  is  raised  higher  and  higher,  the  artificial  lake  rises 
too,  and  the  complete  "beaver-lodge"  surrounded  with  water  is  seen.  The  old  trappers  who 
found  these  in  situ  imagined  they  were  built  at  once  and  outright  in  the  water.  The 
experiments  and  observations  at  Leonardslee,  in  Sussex,  where  Sir  E.  G.  Loder  has  kept 
beavers  in  a  stream  for  ten  years,  show  that  the  "evolution"  of  the  lodge  is  gradual  and  only 
incidental.  But  the  building  of  the  dyke,  the  cutting  of  the  trees,  and  the  making  of  the 
pool  are  done  with  a  purpose  and  definite  aim. 

What  this  is,  and  how  done,  is  explained  in  the  following  description  of  the  beaver 
colony  at  Leonardslee:  "Their  first  object  was  to  form  in  the  brook  a  pool,  with  water 
maintained  at  a  constant  height,  to  keep  the  mouth  of  their  burrow  in  the  bank  submerged 
during  the  droughts  of  summer.  To  this  end  they  built  a  dam,  as  good  a  specimen  of 
their  work  as  can  be  seen 
even  in  Canada.  Its  situa- 
tion was  carefully  chosen. 
A  small  oak,  growing  on 
what  appears  to  have  been 
a  projection  in  the  bank, 
gives  support  to  the  work. 
It  may  be  concluded  that 
this  was  part  of  their 
intention ;  for  though  they 
have  cut  down  every  other 
tree  in  their  enclosure  to 
which  they  had  access, 
except  two  or  three  very 
large  ones,  they  have  left 
this  small  tree  which 
supports  the  dam  un- 
touched. (Later,  when 
the  dyke  was  stronger, 
they  cut  it  down.)  Above 
this  stretches  the  dam, 
some  12  yards  wide,  and 
rising  5|  feet  from  the 

base  to  the  crest.  The  beavers  built  it  solidly  of  battens  of  alder,  willow,  larch,  and  other 
straight-limbed  trees,  cut  into  lengths  of  from  2  to  3  feet.  The  bark  of  each  was  carefully 
gnawed  off  for  food ;  and  the  whole  work,  constructed  of  these  cut  and  peeled  logs,  has  a 
very  regular  and  artificial  appearance.  Smaller  twigs  and  sticks  are  jammed  in  between  the 
battens,  and  the  interstices  are  stuffed  with  mud,  which  the  beavers  bring  up  from  the 
bottom  of  the  pool  in  their  mouths,  and  push  in  with  their  feet,  making  the  whole  structure 
as  watertight  as  a  wall."  This  dam  converted  what  was  a  narrow  brook  into  a  long  lake,  some 
50  yards  by  15  or  20  yards  broad.  Later  the  beavers  made  another  larger  dam  below  this, 
cutting  down  some  more  trees.  One  tree  gave  them  a  great  deal  of  trouble ;  it  was  a  beech, 
40  feet  high,  and  hard  to  gnaw;  so  they  waited  till  the  water  rose  round  it,  and  then  dug 
it  up.  When  the  large  dam  was  made,  quite  a  considerable  lake  was  formed  below  the 
first.  They  then  neglected  their  first  dam,  and  let  the  water  run  out  of  the  top  lake  into 
the  lower  one.  At  the  time  of  writing  there  are  five  old  beavers  and  a  family  of  young  ones 
at  Leonardslee.  The  work -done  by  these  beavers,  so  few  in  numbers,  shows  how  large  colonies 
may  alter  the  course  of  rivers. 


Photo  by  W,  P.  Dando\ 

GAMBIAN   POUCHED  RAT. 
These  rats  are  able  to  carry  food  in  their  cheek-pouches,  which  are  used  as  pockets. 


[Regent's  Part:. 


156 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


THE  DORMICE. 

There  are  a  considerable  number  of  animals,  even  in  England,  which  hibernate.  Most 
of  these  feed  largely  on  insect  food,  which  in  winter  is  unobtainable  in  any  great  quantity. 
Consequently  the  hedgehog  and  the  badger,  which  live  largely  on  snails  and  worms,  go  to 
sleep  in  the  famine  months.  So  does  the  sleepiest  of  all — the  DORMOUSE.  This  alone 
would  show  that  this  little  rodent  probably  feeds  on  insects  very  largely,  for  if  it  only 
ate  nuts  and  berries  it  could  easily  store  these,  and  find  a  good  supply  also  in  the  winter 
woods.  It  has  been  recently  proved  that  dormice  are  insectivorous,  and  will  eat  aphides,  weevils, 
and  caterpillars.  But  a  dormouse  hibernates  for  so  long  a  time  that  one  might  imagine  its 
vitality  entirely  lost ;  it  sleeps  for  six  months  at  a  time,  and  becomes  almost  as  cold  as 

a  dead  animal,  and  breathes  very  slowly  and 
almost  imperceptibly.  Mr.  Trevor-Battye  says 
that  if  warmed  and  made  to  awaken  suddenly 
in  the  winter  it  would  die  in  a  minute  or  two, 
its  heart  beating  very  fast,  "  like  a  clock  running 
down."  Before  their  hibernation  dormice  grow 
very  fat.  There  is  a  large  species,  found  in 
Southern  Europe,  which  the  Romans  used  to  eat 
when  in  this  fat  stage.  In  winter  dormice 
usually  seek  the  nest  of  some  small  bird,  and 
use  it  as  a  sleeping-place.  They  pull  out  arid 
renew  the  lining,  or  add  a  roof  themselves.  Into 
the  interior  they  carry  a  fresh  supply  of  moss, 
and  sleep  there  in  great  comfort.  Their  great 
enemy  at  this  time  is  the  weasel.  There  are 
two  main  groups  of  the  dormice,  divided  by 
naturalists  in  reference  to  the  structure  of  their 
stomach.  The  South  African  GRAPHIURES  have 
short  tufted  tails.  The  hibernating  habit  is 
confined  to  the  more  northern  species. 

THE  MOUSE  TRIBE. 

This  family,  which  includes  the  MICE,  RATS, 
and  VOLES,  contains  more  than  a  third  of  the 
number  of  the  whole  order  of  Rodents.  Some 
are  arboreal,  others  aquatic ;  but  most  are 
ground-living  animals  and  burrowers.  The 
number  of  known  species  has  been  estimated  at 
330.  Among  the  most  marked  types  are  the 
WATER-MICE  of  Australia  and  New  Guinea,  and 
of  the  island  of  Luzon  in  the  Philippines.  The  feet  of  the  Australian  species  are  webbed, 
though  those  of  the  Philippine  form  are  not.  The  GERBILS  form  another  group,  mainly 
inhabitants  of  desert  districts.  They  have  very  large  eyes,  soft  fur,  and  tails  of  various  length 
and  form  in  different  species.  They  have  greatly  developed  hind  legs,  and  leap  like  jerboas, 
and  are  found  in  Southern  Europe,  Asia,  and  Africa.  The  PHILIPPINE  RATS,  large  and  long- 
haired, and  the  TREE-MICE  of  Africa  south  of  the  Sahara,  form  other  groups.  A  very 
mischievous  race  of  rodents  is  represented  in  Europe  by  the  HAMSTERS,  and  in  the  New 
World  by  a  closely  allied  group,  the  WHITE-FOOTED  MICE. 


J'koto  by  A.  S.  Rudland  &  Sons. 

POCKET-GOPHER. 

The  pocket-gophers  are  almost  entirely  subterranean.  Their 
burrowing  powers  are  remarkable.  The  teeth  as  well  as  claws  are 
used  to  aid  them. 


THE  HAMSTERS. 
The  HAMSTER  is  a  well-known  European  species,  and  represents  the  group  of  pouched  rats. 


The    Rodents,    or    Gnawing    Animals 


157 


fltoto  by  A.  S.  Rudland  <i-  Sons. 

LONG-EAKED  JERBOA. 

These  curious   little  animals  are  mainly    desert  creatures.      They  move  by 
a  seiies  of  leaps. 


These  creatures  have  cheek-pouches  to 
aid  them  in  carrying  food.  In  addition 
they  are  most  voracious  and  inquisitive, 
so  that  the  hamster  is  a  type  throughout 
Central  Europe  of  selfishness  and  greed. 
We  are  sorry  to  add  that  John  Bull 
occasionally  appears  in  German  cartoons 
as  the  "  Land-hamster,"  or  land-grabber. 

7  O 

Hamsters  are  numerous  from  the  Elbe 
to  the  Obi.  They  burrow  and  make 
cellars  in  the  corn-  and  bean-fields,  and 
convey  thither  as  much  as  a  bushel  of 
grain.  As  soon  as  the  young  hamsters 
can  shift  for  themselves,  each  moves  off, 
makes  a  separate  burrow,  and  begins  to 
hoard  beans  and  corn.  As  the  litter 
sometimes  contains  eighteen  young,  the 
mischief  done  by  the  hamster  is  great. 
Its  coloration  is  peculiar.  The  fur,  which 
is  so  thick  as  to  be  used  for  the  linings 
of  coats,  is  a  light  yellowish  brown 
above.  A  yellow  spot  marks  each  cheek. 

The  lower  surface  of  the  body,  the  legs,  and  a  band  on  the  forehead  are  black,  and  the  feet 
white.  Thus  the  hamster  reverses  the  usual  natural  order  of  colour  in  mammals,  which 
tends  to  be  dark  on  the  back  and  light  below.  The  animal  .is  10  inches  long,  and  very 
courageous.  Hamsters  have  been  known  to  seize  a  horse  by  the  nose  which  stepped  on  their 
burrow,  and  at  all  times  they  are  ready  to  defend  their  home.  Besides  vegetables  and 
corn,  they  destroy  smaller  animals.  They  spend  the  winter  in  a  more  or  less  torpid  state  in 
their  burrows,  but  emerge  early  in  spring.  They  then  make  their  summer  burrows  and 
produce  their  young,  which  in  a  fortnight  after  birth  are  able  to  begin  to  make  a  burrow  for 
themselves. 

Among  the  South  American  members  of  the   group  to  which  the  hamster  belongs  are  the 
FISH-EATING  RATS,  with   webbed   hind   feet.   .The   RICE-RAT,   which   is   found    from   the    United 
States    to    Ecuador,    lives   on 
the   Texas   prairies    much    as 
do  the  prairie -mar  mots,  though 
its  burrows  are  not  so  exten- 
sive, and  often  quite  shallow. 
In  these  the  rats    make    beds 
of  dry  grass. 

THE  VOLES. 

The  VOLES  are  allied  to 
the  preceding  groups,  but  are 
marked  externally  by  a  shorter 
and  heavier  form  than  the 
typical  rats  and  mice.  Their 
ears  are  shorter,  their  noses 
blunter,  their  eyes  smaller, 

and  the  tail  generally  shorter.  Photo  *v  A-  s-  Rudland  *  Sons- 

They  are  found  in  great  num-  CAPS  JUMPING-HABE. 

berS    fit    Certain    Seasons,     When  This  animal  is  very  common  in  South  Africa.     The  Boers  call  it  the  "  Springh.ias 


158 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


fUoto  ly  A.  S.  Rudland  ct  Sons. 

OCTODONT. 

The  octodonts,  so  called  because  they  have  four  molar  teeth  on  each  side  of  the  jaw, 
are  a  group  of  rodents  found  mainly  in  South  America. 


they  often  develop  into  a  pest.  The 
SHORT-TAILED  FIELD-VOLE  is  responsible 
for  much  destruction  of  crops  in 
Europe.  One  of  the  latest  plagues 
of  these  animals  took  place  in  the 
Lowlands  of  Scotland,  where  these  voles 
devoured  all  the  higher  pastures  on 
the  hills.  Nearly  at  the  same  time 
a  similar  plague  occurred  in  Turkish 
Epirus.  When  an  English  commis- 
sioner was  sent  to  enquire  into  the 
remedies  (if  any  existed)  there  in 
use,  he  found  that  the  Turks  were 
importing  holy  water  from  Mecca  to 
sprinkle  on  the  fields  affected.  The 
BANK- VOLE  is  a  small  English  species, 
replaced  on  the  Continent  by  the  SOUTHERN  FIELD-VOLE. 

The  WATER-RAT  belongs  to  the  vole  group.  It  is  one  of  the  most  commonly  seen 
of  all  our  English  mammals — probably,  except  the  rabbit,  the  most  familiar.  Although  not 
entirely  nocturnal,  it  prefers  the  darkness  or  twilight ;  but  whenever  the  visitor  to  the  waterside 
keeps  still,  the  water-rats  will  allow  him  to  watch  them.  The  writer  has  had  rather  an 
extensive  acquaintance  with  these  cousins  of  the  beavers,  and,  while  watching  them,  has  never 
ceased  to  be  struck  with  their  close  resemblance  to  those  creatures.  At  Holkham  Lake,  in 
Norfolk,  he  noticed  a  willow-bush,  in  which  a  number  of  twigs  had  been  gnawed  off;  and 
then  saw  the  missing  sticks  lying  neatly  peeled,  just  like  "beaver-wood,"  in  the  water  below. 
Waiting  quietly,  he  noticed  a  water-rat  climb  into  the  bush,  gnaw  off  a  willow  twig,  descend 
with  it  to  the  edge  of  the  water,  and  there,  sitting  on  some  crossed  boughs,  peel  and  eat  the 
bark,  just  as  a  beaver  does.  By  the  Thames  a  sound  is  often  heard  in  the  round  reeds  as  of 
something  tearing  or  biting  them;  it  is  made  by  the  water-rats  getting  their  supper.  The  rat 
cuts  off  three  or  four  sedges  and  makes  a  rough  platform.  It  then  cuts  down  a  piece  of  one  of 
the  large  round  reeds  full  of  pith,  and,  holding  it  in  its  hands,  seizes  the  bark  with  its  teeth,  and 
shreds  it  up  the  stem,  peeling  it  from  end  to  end.  This  exposes  the  white  pith,  which  the 
rat  then  eats.  Water-rats  have  been  seen  to  swim  out 
and  pick  up  acacia  blossoms  floating  on  the  water. 
When  swimming  under  water,  each  hair  is  tipped  by 
a  little  bubble,  which  makes  the  rat  look  like  quick- 
silver. When  it  comes  out,  the  rat  shakes  itself  with 
a  kind  of  shiver,  throwing  all  the  water  off  its  coat. 
Though  so  good  a  swimmer,  its  feet  are  not  webbed. 
It  is  found  from  Scotland  to  the  Bering  Sea,  but  not 
in  Ireland. 

In  the  Far  North  the  LEMMING  takes  the  place  of 
the  voles.  It  is  a  very  small,  short-tailed  creature,  like 
a  diminutive  prairie-dog.  Like  the  voles,  lemmings 
have  seasons  of  immoderate  increase.  They  then 
migrate  in  enormous  flocks,  and  are  said  never  to 
stop  till  they  reach  the  sea,  into  which  they  plunge. 
It  is  believed  that  they  are  following  an  inherited 
instinct,  and  that  where  there  is  now  sea  there  once 
was  land,  over  which  they  passed  onwards. 

The    MUSK-RAT   inhabits   the    same   waters  as   the    .    This  ".  a  larg.et  ^atic  rodent,  found  on  the  south 

American  rivers.     Its  fur,  called  "nutria,    forms  a  valuable 

beaver  of  North  America.     It  makes  a  house,  generally    export  from  Argentina. 


by  L.  Mcdland,  F.Z.S.] 
COYPU. 


[North  Fincldey. 


The    Rodents,    or    Gnawing    Animals 


159 


of  reeds  piled  in  a  mound,  in  the  lakes  and 
swamps.  The  body  is  only  12  inches  long, 
but  the  fur  is  thick  and  close,  and  much 
used  for  lining  coats  and  cloaks.  The  vast 
chains  of  rivers  and  lakes  in  Canada  make 
that  country  the  favourite  home  of  the  musk- 
rat.  This  creature  lives  upon  roots  of  aquatic 
plants,  freshwater-mussels,  and  stems  of  juicy 
herbs.  Besides  making  the  domed  houses  of 
grass,  reeds,  and  mud,  it  also  burrows  in  the 
banks  of  streams.  There  it  makes  rather  an 
elaborate  home,  with  numerous  passages  leading 
to  the  water.  The  odour  of  musk  is  very 
strong  even  in  the  skin.  The  tail  is  narrow 
and  almost  naked.  This  species  is  the  largest 
of  the  vole  group. 

THE  TYPICAL  EATS  AND  MICE. 


Photo  by  A.  S.  Kudland  &  Sons. 

SHORT-TAILED   HUTIA. 


The  hntias  are  another  group  of  octodonts,   found  in  the  West  India 
Islands. 


These  animals  were  originally  an  Old 
World  group.  Though  the  brown  rat  is  now 
common  in  America,  it  is  believed  to  have 
come  originally  from  China. 

A  very  large  number  of  animals  are  now  almost  dependent  on  man  and  his  belongings. 
Such  creatures  are  said  to  be  "  commensalistic,"  or  eaters  at  the  same  table.  They  are  often 
very  unwelcome  guests,  whether  they  are  flies,  sparrows,  or  cockroaches;  but  probably  the 
least  welcome  of  all  are  the  rats  and  mice.  The  BROWN  RAT  is  the  best  known  of  any.  It 
has  come  into  worse  repute  than  usual  of  late,  because  it  is  now  certain  that  it  harbours  the 
plague-bacillus,  and  communicates  the  disease  to  man.  Its  habits  and  appearance  need  no 
description.  The  BLACK  RAT  is  the  older  and  smaller  species  indigenous  in  Europe,  which 
the  brown  rat  has  almost  extirpated  from  England.  A  few  old  houses  still  hold  the  black 
rat,  and  there  are  always  a  few  wild  ones  at  the  Zoological  Gardens  which  feed  in  the  animals' 
houses.  The  BLACK-AND-WHITE  RAT  (not  the  albino  white  rat)  kept  tame  in  this  country  is 
probably  a  domesticated  form  of  the  ALEXANDRINE  RAT  of  Egypt. 

The  HOUSE-MOUSE  is  now  found  in  all  parts  of  the  world  to  which  Europeans  have  access. 
In  England  its  main  home  is  in  the  corn-ricks. 
Were  the  farmers  to  thresh  the  grain,  as  is  done  in 
the  United  States,  as  soon  as  it  is  cut,  mice  would 
be  far  less  common.  Besides  these  parasitic  mice, 
there  are  a  host  of  field-  and  forest-mice  in  this  and 
other  countries.  One  of  the  best-known  English 
species  is  the  HARVEST-MOUSE,  which  makes  a  globular 
nest  of  grass  in  the  wheat-fields,  attached  to  stems 
of  corn  or  weeds.  In  this  the  young  are  born.  In 
winter  the  mouse  lives  in  holes  in  banks,  and  lays 
up  a  store  of  kernels  and  grain.  The  WOOD-MOUSE 
is  larger  than  the  former,  or  than  the  HOUSE-MOUSE. 
It  is  yellowish  brown  in  colour,  lays  up  a  great 
store  of  winter  food,  and  is  itself  the  favourite  prey 
of  the  t^easel. 


By  permission  of  the  Hon.  Walter  Rotluchild,  Tring. 

PORCUPINE. 

The   common   porcupine   is   found  in  Italy,   Spain,  and 
North  Africa.     This  one  was  kept  by  Mr.  Rothschild,  who 
A      Very     mischieVOUS    claSS    Of    ratS    is    represented         had  it  photographed  by  Mr.  S.  G.  Payne,  of  Aylesbury. 


THE  BANDICOOTS. 


i6o 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


by  the  various  species  of  BANDICOOT.  They 
are  found  throughout  Southern  Asia  as  far 
as  Ceylon,  and  in  Kashmir  and  Turkestan. 
The  BANDICOOT-RAT  of  India  is  a  large  and 
destructive  species  which  is  sometimes 
brought  to  the  London  docks  in  ships,  but 
has  not  spread  into  the  country. 

OTHER  MURINE  RODENTS. 

Among  the  numerous  other  rodents 
allied  to  the  rat  group  are  the  MOLE-RATS, 
with  short  mole-like  bodies.  The  largest 
is  the  GREAT  MOLE-RAT,  found  in  South- 
eastern Europe,  South-western  Asia,  and 
North-eastern  Africa.  It  is  a  subterranean 
creature,  burrowing  for  food  like  a  mole. 
The  BAMBOO-RATS  have  minute  eyes,  small 
external  ears,  and  a  short  tail  partly 
covered  with  hair.  In  Somaliland  a  small, 
almost  naked  SAND-RAT  is  found,  which  burrows  in  the  sand  of  the  desert,  throwing  up  little 
heaps  like  mole-hills. 

THE  GOPHERS. 

In  North  and  Central  America  the  POCKET-GOPHERS  form  a  curious  group  of  small  rodents 
with  cheek-pouches  opening  on  the  outside.  They  spend  their  entire  existence  underground, 
and  are  said  to  use  their  incisor  teeth  as  picks  to  open  the  hard  earth  in  their  tunnels.  They 
push  the  loosened  soil  out  by  pressing  it  with  their  chests  and  fore  feet.  When  a  gopher  has 
eaten  enough  to  satisfy  the  immediate  calls  of  hunger,  it  stores  all  spare  food  away  in  the 
large  cheek-pouches.  When  gophers  desire  to  empty  the  pouches,  they  pass  their  feet  along 
their  cheeks  from  behind,  and  press  the  food  forwards  on  to  the  ground. 


I'/toto  by  A.  H.  liadland  d-  £o,i.«. 

PORCUPINE. 

This  phonograph  shows  the  arrangement  of  the  porcupine's  defence  of 
spines  ;  but  when  frightened  it  erects  these,  so  as  to  form  a  complete  protection 
to  the  body. 


THE  JERBOAS,  SPRINGHAAS,  AND  JUMPING-MICE. 

The   hopping   rodents    have    an    immense    range,    from    Southern    Europe,    through    Africa. 

Arabia,  India,  and  Ceylon,  and  even  in  the  New 
World,  where  the  AMERICAN  JUMPING-MOUSE  is 
found  throughout  the  northern  part  of  the  con- 
tinent. The  latter  is  only  3  inches  long.  The 
true  JERBOAS  are  mainly  found  in  Africa.  All 
these,  when  excited,  move  like  kangaroos.  Their 
main  home  is  the  Central  Asian  steppe  region, 
but  they  are  found  in  Egypt,  India,  Syria,  and 
Arabia.  The  hind  legs  are  much  elongated,  the 
fore  legs  very  small,  and  the  body  usually  of  a 
sandy  colour.  The  American  jumping-mouse, 
though  a  very  small  creature,  can  cover  from  3  to 
5  feet  at  each  leap.  It  inhabits  the  beech  and 
hard-wood  forests.  In  winter  it  makes  a  globular 
nest  about  6  inches  under  the  surface  of  the  ground. 

IReg^sPark.  ^       ^^       JUMpISG.HARB       forms      a      fami]y 

VISCACHA 

T,      .     ,    f  by  itself,   with   no  near  allies.     It  is  of  a  tawny 

The  viscacha  forms  colonies  like  those  of  the  prairie-dogs.     It  is  *  J 

found  on  the  pampas  south  of  the  La  Plata.  brOWIl    Colour,   becoming  almost    pUl'6    white    below. 


C/2 


<        E 


The    Rodents,    or    Gnawing    Animals 


161 


Photo  by  Jf.  P.  Dando] 


[Regent's  Park, 


CHINCHILLA. 


A  small  rodent  of  the  Andes,  possessing  very  soft  and  valuable  grey  fur. 


The  tail  is  long,  and  carried  upright  as 
the  animal  leaps.  The  head  and  body 
are  nearly  2  feet  long,  and  the  tail 
20  inches.  It  is  found  both  in  the  plains 
and  mountains  of  South  Africa,  where 
it  makes  deep  burrows,  in  which  several 
families  live.  It  is  mainly  nocturnal. 

THE  OCTODONT  FAMILY. 

America  is  the  main  home  of  this 
family  of  rodents,  though  there  are  several 
representatives  in  Africa.  Their  name 
is  due  to  the  fact  that  they  have  four 
molar  teeth  on  each  side  of  the  jaw. 
The  best-known  species  is  the  COYPU,  or 
NUTRIA,  of  South  America,  an  aquatic, 
fur-bearing  animal.  It  is  very  plentiful 
in  the  large  rivers  of  that  continent, 
where  its  fur  is  a  valuable  commodity 
for  export.  When  swimming,  the  female 

coypu  carries  its  young  on  its  back.  The  coypu  is  usually  20  inches  long,  with  a  tail  two-thirds 
of  the  length  of  its  head  and  body.  The  general  colour  is  brown  above  and  brownish  yellow 
below.  Coypus  live  in  pairs  in  holes  in  the  river-banks.  In  the  Chonos  Archipelago  they 
frequent  the  seashore,  and  burrow  near  the  beach. 

The  HUTIA,  another  large  octodont,  is  found  in  the  West  Indies.  There  are  two  species, 
both  partly  arboreal.  The  TUCO-TUCOS,  burrowing  octodonts  of  the  pampas  and  the  far  south 
of  the  American  Continent,  are  rat-like  animals,  with  large  claws  and  very  small  eyes  and  ears. 

THE  PORCUPINES. 

These  animals  are  either  tree-climbers  or  ground-dwellers.  The  former  are  found  in  South 
America,  though  one,  the  CANADIAN  PORCUPINE,  is 
found  in  the  North ;  the  latter  are  European  and 
Asiatic.  In  Africa  they  are  also  common.  The 
Canadian  porcupine  passes  nearly  all  its  life  in 
trees,  feeding  on  the  leaves ;  but  it  has  not  a 
prehensile  tail.  The  COMMON  PORCUPINE  is  abundant 
in  Italy  (where  it  is  eaten  by  man),  Greece,  Spain, 
and  Africa.  It  lives  in  burrows  or  among  rocks. 
In  India  a  very  similar  species  is  found.  The  head 
and  shoulders  of  these  ground-porcupines  are  not 
protected  by  the  larger  sharp  spines  which  guard  the 
rest  of  their  bodies. 

The  tree-porcupines  of  the  forests  of  Central 
America  have  long  prehensile  tails,  and  are  very 
lightly  built.  The  quills  are  short,  the  head 
rounded,  and  the  appearance  very  different  from 
that  of  the  European  or  African  species.  The 
common  porcupine  of  Europe  and  North  Africa 
measures  about  28  inches  in  length  from  the  nose 
to  the  root  of  the  tail.  The  head,  neck,  and 
shoulders  are  covered  with  short  spines  and  hairs, 
and  the  shoulders  and  back  by  a  crest  of  long 


Photo  ly  York  tfc  So/i] 


[Sotting  Hill. 


AGUTIS. 


The  agutis  are  also  a  South  American  group,  found  both  in 
the  forests  and  on  the  plains. 

21 


l62 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


Photo  by  A.  S.  Rudland  &  Sons. 

PACA,   OR  SPOTTED  CAVY. 

The  pacas  are  among  the  larger  rodents,  found  mainly  in  the  northern  part  of 
the  South  American  region. 


spines,  varying  from  12  to  15  inches    in 
length.     The  tail  also  carries  spines. 

VlSCACHAS    AND    CHINCHILLAS. 

On  the  plains  of  La  Plata  the 
commonest  large  rodent  is  the  VISCACHA. 
It  assembles  in  societies  like  the  prairie- 
dogs,  but  is  a  much  larger  animal,  from 
18  inches  to  2  feet  long.  Yiscachas 
always  set  a  sentinel  to  give  warning 
of  danger.  They  cut  every  kind  of 
vegetable  near  and  drag  them  to  their 
holes  ;  they  also  have  a  habit  of  picking 
up  and  collecting  round  the  burrows  any 
object  which  strikes  them  as  curious- 
Articles  lost  by  travellers,  even  whips  or 
boots,  may  generally  be  found  there.  The 
viscacha  belongs  to  the  chinchilla  family, 
but  differs  much  from  the  beautiful 
creature  of  the  high  Andes  from  which  chinchilla  fur  is  taken.  The  COMMON  CHINCHILLA  is 
about  10  inches  long,  and  the  SHORT-TAILED  CHINCHILLA  rather  smaller.  The  exquisite  fur 
is  well  known.  Two  other  chinchillas  are  more  like  hares  in  appearance.  All  four  creatures 
are  found  on  the  Andes. 

THE  AGUTIS  AND  PACAS. 

South  America  also  produces  a  family  of  rodents  not  unlike  small  pigs,  but  nearer  to  the 
mouse-deer  in  general  appearance  ;  they  are  called  AGUTIS.  Mainly  forest  animals,  but  living 
also  in  the  plains,  they  feed  on  grass,  leaves,  and  plants  of  all  kinds ;  they  are  very  swift 
in  their  movements,  and  have  much  the  habits  of  the  small  South  African  bucks.  The  fur  is 
long,  olive-  or  chestnut-coloured,  and  thick. 

The  PACAS  are  allied  to  the  agutis,  but  are  stouter ;  they  live  either  in  burrows  made 
by  themselves,  or  in  holes  in  the  banks  of  rivers,  or  in  old  tree-roots.  The  pacas  are 
spotted  and  rather  ornamentally  marked ;  they  are  found  from  Ecuador  to  Brazil  and  Paraguay. 

THE  CAVIES. 

The  DiNOMYS,  a  spotted  rodent  known  by  one 
example  from  Peru,  has  been  thought  to  form  a  link 
between  the  pacas  and  the  cavies,  of  which  the 
guinea-pig  is  the  most  familiar  and  the  aquatic  capy- 
bara  the  largest.  The  original  of  our  guinea-pig  is 
believed  to  be  the  RESTLESS  CAVY,  a  small  rodent 
common  on  the  plains  of  La  Plata.  It  is  dark  blackish, 
with  yellowish-grey  and  white  hairs  of  the  domesti- 
cated species ;  and  it  is  suggested  that  the  original 
of  the  present  name  was  "  Guiana  pig."  This  cavy 
lives  in  thickets  rather  than  in  forests  or  plains. 

The  PATAGONIAN  CAVY  is  a  larger  form,  about 
twice  the  size  of  our  hare.  It  burrows  in  the 
ground,  and  has  a  grey  coat,  with  yellowish  markings 

on  the  sides.      It  has   been  acclimatised   successfully          notoiy  York*  son}  Dotting 

in    France   and    England.       The  flesh   is  like  that  of  PACAS>  OE  SPOTTED  CAVIES. 

f  V  ViK'f  TtiS  l)llot°Sral)h'  which  represents  young  animals,  shows  ir 

ttie    raDDlt.  great  perfection  the  linear  arrangement  of  the  stripes. 


The    Rodents,    or    Gnawing    Animals 


163 


The  CAPYBARA  is  the  largest  of  all 
rodents.  This  species  is,  in  fact,  a  gigantic 
water-guinea-pig.  It  is  found  in  all  the 
great  rivers  of  South  America,  from  the 
Orinoco  to  the  La  Plata.  It  swims  as  well 
as  a  water-rat,  though  it  is  as  large  as  a 
small  pig.  Tt  feeds  on  reeds,  water-plants, 
and  grass.  A  capital  photograph  of  this 
animal  appears  on  page  146. 

PIKAS,  HARES,  AND  RABBITS. 

^^^ataa^jm.  The    last    two    families   of  the  Rodents 

I  l^nF  -*'"•  '  •    ' 

|w-_.       «#a!P  have    a    small    pair   of   rudimentary    incisor 

'  .Mt   .       .   '  ki  ^,*-  ""  teeth    behind   the   large   ones   in   the    upper 

jaw.  The  PIKAS,  or  CALLING-HARES,  resemble 
the  marmot  tribe  in  general  appearance. 
Their  heads  are  short,  their  ears  rounded, 
and,  being  tailless,  they  still  less  resemble 
the  common  hare  ;  but  their  dentition 
marks  them  as  allied.  One  species,  about 
9  inches  long,  is  found  in  Siberia  ;  and 
another,  only  7  inches  long,  in  the  Rocky 
Mountains.  The  former  has  a  habit  of 
cutting  grass  and  storing  it  in  small  stacks 
outside  its  hole  for  winter  use  ;  the  Rocky 
Mountain  species  carries  its  hay  into  its 
burrows. 

The     HARES    are    a    widely    distributed 

group.      They    are    found    from    the    north  of    Scotland    (where    the    grey    mountain    species 

turns    white    in    winter)    to    the   south   of    India,    in    South    Africa,    and   across   the   continent 

of  Asia  to  Japan.     The  MOUNTAIN-HARE   takes  the  place  of  the  brown  species  in  Scandinavia, 

Northern    Russia,    and    Ireland  ;     it    is    rather    smaller,    and    has    shorter    ears    and    hind    legs. 
As    early   as    54    B.C.,    Caesar,    in 

his    account   of   Britain,    writes    that 

the   COMMON   HARE  was  kept   by  the 

ancient    Britons    as   a   pet,    but    not 

eaten  by  them.     It  was  protected  by 

the   Normans  in  the   second   list,    or 

schedule,     of     animals     reserved     for 

sport.      The    first   list    included    the 

Beasts     of    the    Forest,     the    second 

the    Beasts    of   the    Chase,   of  which 

the   hare  was  one  of  the  first.     The 

word   "  chase  "   has   here   a   technical 

meaning,    by    which   was   understood 

an    open    park,    or    preserved    area, 

midway  in    dignity  between  a  forest 

and  an  enclosed  park.    "  Hare  parks  " 

were    also    made,    perhaps    the    most 

recent   being   that    made   at   Bushey 

for  the  amusement  of  the  sovereign 

when  at  Hampton   Court  Palace.       The 


Photo  by  Scholastic  Photo.  Co  ]  [Parson's  Green. 

PATAGONIAN  CAVY. 

This  large  species  of  cavy  has  been  acclimatised  successfully  both  in 
England  and  in  France. 


By  permission  of  Professor 


,     ,.-,    , 


WOOD-HARE. 


[New  York. 


This  is  one  of  the  forms  intermediate  between  the  hares  and  rabbits. 


164 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


name  is  often  found  surviving  elsewhere.  At  Hokham,  the  Earl  of  Leicester's  seat  in  Norfolk, 
a  walled  park  of  1,500  acres  holds  almost  all  the  hares  on  the  estate.  If  these  parks  and 
forest  laws  had  not  existed  at  an  early  date,  it  is  probable  that  the  hare  would  have  become 
very  scarce  in  this  country. 

Hares  produce  their  leverets  about  the  middle  of  April,  though  in  mild  seasons  they  are 
born  much  earlier.  The  number  of  the  litter  is  from  two  to  five.  They  are  placed  in  a 
small  hollow  scraped  out  by  the  doe  hare,  but  not  in  a  burrow  of  any  kind. 

The  instinct  of  concealment  by  remaining  still  is  very  highly  developed  in  the  hares  and 
rabbits.  They  will  often  "  squat "  on  the  ground  until  picked  up  rather  than  take  to  flight. 
This  seems  almost  a  perverted  instinct ;  yet  hares  often  exhibit  considerable  courage  and  resource 
when  escaping  from  their  enemies.  The  following  is  an  instance  : — A  hare  was  coursed  by  two 


Photo  by  C.  Reid} 


[  Wishate,  N.B. 
WILD   RABBITS. 

The  wild,  rabbit  has  now  spread  to  the  north  of  Scotland,  where  this  picture  was  taken.     It  is  also  common  in  the  Hebrides. 

young  greyhounds  on  some  marshes  intersected  by  wide  ditches  of  water.  It  first  ran  to  the 
side  of  one  of  these  ditches,  and  doubled  at  right  angles  on  the  brink.  This  caused  the  outer 
dog  to  lose  its  balance  and  to  fall  heavily  into  the  deep  and  cold  water.  The  hare  then 
made  straight  for  the  line  of  walkers,  and  passed  through  them,  with  the  other  greyhound 
close  behind  it.  The  dog  reached  out  and  seized  the  hare  by  the  fur  of  the  back,  throwing 
it  down.  The  hare  escaped,  leaving  a  large  patch  of  fur  in  the  dog's  jaws,  doubled  twice,  and 
was  again  seized  by  the  second  dog,  which  had  come  up.  It  escaped  from  the  jaws  of  the 
second  pursuer,  leapt  two  ditches  12  feet  wide,  and  then  sat  for  a  moment  behind  a  gate  on 
a  small  bridge.  This  use  of  the  only  cover  near  caused  the  dogs  to  lose  sight  of  it ;  they 
refused  to  jump  the  second  drain,  and  the  hare  escaped. 

The  BABBIT  is  too  well  known  to  need  description  either  of  its  habits  or  appearance.  It 
originally  came  from  the  countries  south  of  the  Mediterranean,  but  is  now  common  in  Northern 
Europe,  and  has  become  a  pest  in  Australia  and  New  Zealand.  The  rabbit  breeds  when,  six 
months  old,  and  has  several  litters  in  each  year. 


CHAPTER   X. 

THE    BATS    AND    INSECT-EATING    MAMMALS. 

BY   AV.    P.    PYCKAFT,   A.L.S.,    F.Z.S. 

rTlHESE  two  groups  are  really  closely  allied  ;  but  the  bats  are  generally  considered  apart,  on 

1        account  of  their  totally  different  mode  of  life.     Originally,  like  their  more  commonplace 

relatives,    they  were    dwellers    upon   the    earth,  or,    more  correctly,  among  the  trees.     By 

gradual    modification    of  the    fore    limbs,    and    a    corresponding    development    of   folds    of    skin 

attached  thereto,  and  to  the  body,  they  have  acquired  the  power  of  flight.     The  cobego,  to  be 

mentioned  presently,  gives  us  a  hint  of  how  this  may  have  come  about. 

The  bats  are  the  only  members  of  the  Mammalia  which  possess  the  power  of  true  flight. 
The  so-called  flying-squirrels  do  not  rightly  deserve  this  title,  for  they  have  no  wings.  The 
wings  of  the  bat  have  been  formed  by  modification  of  the  fore  limbs,  the  finger-bones  having 
become  excessively  lengthened,  so  as  to  serve  as  a  support  to  a  thin  web  of  skin  extending 
outwards  from  the  body,  much  as  the  ribs  of  an  umbrella  support  the  covering.  The  hand 
of  the  bat  is  therefore  a  quite  unique  organ. 


Photo  by  W.  Samite-Kent,  F.Z.S.] 


[Croydon. 


AUSTRALIAN  FRUIT-BAT,   OR   "  FLYING-FOX." 
This  photograph  shows  the  "  flying-fox"  in  its  customary  resting  position.    A  photograph  of  it  flying  is  shown  on  page  v  of  Introduction. 

1G3 


i66 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


The  wing-membrane  serves  yet 
another  purpose,  for  its  sense  of  touch 
is  exceedingly  delicate,  enabling  even 
blind  bats  (for  bats  are  not  blind 
usually,  as  is  popularly  supposed)  to 
avoid  objects  placed  in  their  path. 
Some  bats,  however,  appear  to  depend 
also  in  some  slight  degree  upon  hear- 
ing. The  sense  of  touch  is  still  further 
increased  by  the  development  of  frills 
or  leaf-like  expansions  of  skin  round 
the  nose  and  mouth,  and  by  the  ex- 
cessive development  of  the  external 
ears.  •  Delicate  hairs  fringing  these 
membranes  probably  act  like  the 
"  whiskers  "  of  the  cat. 

Insect-eating  bats  inhabiting 
regions  with  a  temperate  climate 
must  in  winter,  when  food-supplies 
cease,  either  hibernate  or  migrate  to 
warmer  regions.  The  majority 
hibernate ;  but  two  species  at  least 
of  Canadian  bats  perform  extensive 
migrations,  it  is  supposed  to  escape 
the  intense  cold. 

The  power  of  flight  has  made 
the  bats  independent  of  the  barriers 
which  restrict  the  movements  of 
terrestrial  animals,  and  accordingly 
we  find  them  all  over  the  world,  even 
as  far  north  as  the  Arctic  Circle. 
But  certain  groups  of  bats  have  an 
extremely  restricted  range.  Thus  thfe 
Fruit-bats  occur  only  in  the  warmer 
regions  of  the  Old  World,  the 
Vampires  in  America,  whilst  some  of  the  more  common  insect-eating  forms  are  found 
everywhere.  Those  forms  with  a  restricted  distribution  are,  it  should  be  noticed,  all  highly 
specialised — that  is  to  say,  they  have  all  become  in  some  way  adapted  to  peculiar  local 
conditions,  and  cannot  subsist  apart  therefrom.  It  is  the  more  lowly — less  specialised — forms 
which  have  the  widest  geographical  range.  There  are  some  spots,  however,  on  the  world's 
surface  from  which  no  bat  has  yet  been  recorded — such  are  Iceland,  St.  Helena,  Kerguelen,  and 
the  Galapagos  Islands. 

THE  FRUIT- BATS. 

These  represent  the  giants  of 
the  bat  world,  the  largest  of  them,  the 
KALONG,  or  MALAY  FOX-BAT,  measuring 
no  less  than  5  feet  from  tip  to  tip 
of  the  wing.  The  best  known  of  the 
fruit-bats  is  the  INDIAN  FOX-BAT.  Sir  rhoto  ^  A- s- Rudiand  *  SOHS- 

T     -,-,     m  ,     -,,  ,,  f  .,  TUBE-NOSED   FRUIT-BAT. 

J.  E.  Tennent  tells  us  that  a  favourite 

The  tubular  nostrils  distinguish  tbis  and  a  species  of  insect-eating  oat  from  all  other 

resort     of    theirs     near      Kandy,     in  living  mammals. 


Photo  by  Henry  King] 


[Sydney. 


AUSTRALIAN  FRUIT-BATS. 


In  their  roosting-places  these  bats  hang  all  over  the  trees  in  enormous  numbers, 
looking  like  great  black  frnits.  Although  shot  in  thousands,  on  account  of  the 
damage  they  do  to  fruit  orchards,  their  numbers  do  not  appear  to  be  reduced. 


The    Bats    and    Insect-eating    Mammals 


Photo  ly  Fratdli  Alinari]  [Florence. 

PIPISTRELLE  BAT. 
This  is  one  of  the  commonest  of  the  British  bats.    It  is  the  first  to  appear  in  the  spring,  and  the  last  to  retire  at  the  fall  of  the  year. 

Ceylon,  was  some  indiarubber-trees,  "  where  they  used  to  assemble  in  such  prodigious  numbers 
that  large  boughs  would  not  infrequently  give  way  beneath  the  accumulated  weight  of  the 
flock."  An  observer  in  Calcutta  relates  that  they  occasionally  travel  in  vast  hordes,  so  great 
as  to  darken  the  sky.  Whether  they  are  performing  some  preconcerted  migration  or  bent 
only  on  a  foray  to  some  distant  feeding-  ground  is  a  matter  for  speculation.  These  hordes  are 
quite  distinct  from  the  "  long  strings  "  which  may  be  seen  every  evening  in  Calcutta  on  their 
way  to  neighbouring  fruit-trees. 

One  of  the  most  remarkable  of  this  group  is  the  TUBE-NOSED  FRUIT-BAT,  in  which  the 
nostrils  are  prolonged  into  a  pair  of  relatively  long  tubes.  Strangely  enough,  a  group  of 
insect-eating  bats  has  developed  similar  though  smaller  tubes.  Except  in  these  bats,  such 
tubes  are  unknown  among  mammals.  Their  function  is  not  known. 

INSECT-  EATING   BATS. 

The  vast  majority  of  the  bats  comprising  this  group  feed  exclusively  on  insects. 
however,  have  acquired  the  habit  of 
fruit-eating,  like  the  true  fruit-bats  ; 
and  a  few  have  developed  quite  ogre- 
like  habits,  for  they  drink  blood  — 
indeed,  they  subsist  upon  nothing  else. 
This  they  obtain  from  animals  larger 
than  themselves. 

Many  of  the  bats  of  this  group 
have  developed  curious  leaf-like  expan- 
sions of  skin  around  the  nose  and  mouth, 
which  are  supposed  to  be  endowed 
with  a  very  delicate  sense  of  touch. 
In  some,  as  in  the  FLOWEK-NOSED  BAT, 
the  nose-leaf  is  excessively  developed, 
forming  a  large  rosette.  The  upper 
border  of  this  rosette  is  furnished  with 
three  stalked  balls,  the  function  of 
which  it  is  surmised  is  probably  orna- 
mental —  from  the  bat's  point  of  view. 
To  our  more  aesthetic  taste  the  whole 


Some, 

T"-TS3 


Photo  by  A.  s.  Rudiand  &  sons. 

LEAF-NOSED  BAT. 


The  leaf-nosed  are  the  most  highly  organised  of  all  the  bats.     The  remarkable 
leaf -like  folds  of  skin  around  the  nose  or  chin,  as  the  case  may  be,  serve  as  delicate 
Limited       as       is       OUr       Space,       We        organs  of  perception.    There  are  numerous  species  of  leaf-nosed  bats. 


,'0    V,irlormo 


i68 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


cannot  pass  over  the  SUCKER-FOOTED  BATS.  These  are  met  with,  strangely  enough,  in  countries 
so  far  apart  as  Brazil  and  Madagascar.  The  suckers  from  which  they  derive  their  name,  in 
the  Brazilian  species,  are  small  circular,  hollow  disks,  attached  to  the  thumb  and  the  sole  of 
the  foot,  recalling  the  suckers  of  the  cuttle-fish  and  brown  water-beetle.  By  their  means  he 
animal  is  enabled  to  climb  over  smooth  vertical  surfaces. 

A  white  bat  is  a  rarity  in  the  bat  world.  We  cannot  therefore  afford  to  pass  without 
mention  the  fact  that  Central  and  South  America  possess  two  species  of  WHITE  BATS.  This 
colour  is  probably  developed  for  protection's  sake,  the  bats  being  found  nestling  between  the 
silvery  leaves  of  a  cocoanut- 
palm.  Brilliant  coloration,  on 
the  other  hand,  is  by  no 
means  so  rare.  WELWITSCH'S 
BAT,  for  instance — a  West 
African  species — is  remarkable 
for  its  gorgeous  coloration,  the 
colours  being  orange  and  black. 
An  Indian  species,  known  as 
the  PAINTED  BAT,  is  said  to  be 
so  brilliantly  coloured  as  to 
resemble  a  gorgeous  butterfly 
rather  than  a  bat. 

Ugliness  is  more  common 
than  beauty  amongst  the  bats, 
and  perhaps  the  ugliest  of  all 
the  tribe  is  the  NAKED  BAT 
of  the  Malayan  region.  It  is 
absolutely  repulsive.  The  skin 
is  naked,  save  for  a  collar  of 
hair  round  the  neck;  whilst 
on  the  throat  it  gives  rise 
to  an  enormous  throat-pouch, 
which  discharges  an  oily  fluid 
of  a  peculiarly  nauseating 
smell.  On  either  side  of  the 
body  is  a  deep  pouch,  in 
which  the  young  are  carried — 
a  very  necessary  provision,  for 
they  would  be  quite  unable 
to  cling  to  the  body  of  the 
parent,  as  do  the  young  of  Photo  *>y  w-  Savute-Kent,  F.Z.S.] 

COBEGO. 

Back  view  of  the  cobego,  with  the  limbs  extended,  showing  the  great  size  of  the  flying-membranes, 

or  parachute. 


\Croydon. 


fur-bearing    bats,    on    account 
of  the  naked  skin. 

Of  the  great  group  of  the 
VAMPIRE-BATS  we  can  only  make  mention  of  the  blood-sucking  species.  These  are  natives  of 
South  America.  It  is  to  Dr.  Darwin  that  we  owe  our  first  absolutely  reliable  information 
about  these  little  animals.  Before  the  account  in  his  Journal,  it  was  uncertain  to  which  of 
the  vampires  belonged  the  unenviable  distinction  of  being  the  blood-sucker.  During  the  stay 
of  the  great  naturalist  in  Chili  one  was  actually  caught  by  one  of  his  servants,  as  evening  was 
drawing  on,  biting  the  withers  of  a  horse.  In  the  morning  the  spot  where  the  bite  had  been 
inflicted  was  plainly  visible,  from  its  swollen  condition.  These  two  species,  it  has  been  stated, 
"are  the  only  bats  which  subsist  entirely  on  a  diet  of  blood,  yet  it  is  possible  that  .  .  .  some 
of  the  JAVELIN-BATS  or  their  allies  may  on  occasion  vary  their  ordinary  food  with  it." 


The    Bats    and    Insect^eating    Mammals 


169 


THE   IXSECTIVORA,   OR   FLIGHTLESS  INSECT-EATERS. 

Some  members  of  this  group  have  departed  from  the  traditional  insect  diet.  Thus  the 
cobego  feeds  upon  leaves,  a  curious  aquatic  shrew — the  Potamogale  of  West  Africa — upon  fish, 
and  the  moles  upon  worms. 

The  group  has  a  very  wide  geographical  distribution,  but  there  are  nevertheless  large 
portions  of  the  globe  in  which  they  are  conspicuous  by  their  absence.  They  are  never  found 
in  Australia  or  South  America.  Madagascar,  Africa,  and  the  West  India  Islands  produce  the 

most  remarkable  forms. 

THE  COBEGO. 

This  is  a  peculiarly  inter- 
esting animal,  which  lives  in 
the  forests  of  Sumatra,  Borneo, 
the  Malay  Peninsula,  and  the 
Philippine  Islands.  It  dwells 
among  the  trees,  moving  from 
one  to  another  by  taking 
flying  leaps  through  the  air, 
covering  as  much  as  seventy 
yards  at  a  jump.  Prodigious 
leaps  like  this  would  be  quite 
impossible  but  for  the  fact 
that  the  animal,  which  is 
almost  as  large  as  a  cat,  is 
provided  with  a  sort  of  para- 
chute, formed  by  a  broad  web 
of  skin  stretched  between  the 
body  on  either  side  and  the 
fore  and  hind  limbs,  and 
between  the  hind  limbs  and 
the  tail. 

SHREWS,  HEDGEHOGS, 

AND  TENRECS. 
The  variation  in  form 
presented  by  the  members 
of  this  group  is  considerable. 
The  most  noteworthy  examples 
of  this  variation  are  furnished 
by  the  pretty  little  squirrel- 
like  TREE-SHREWS  of  India 
and  Borneo  and  neighbouring 
lands,  the  mouse-like  JUMPING-SHREWS  of  Africa,  the  HEDGEHOGS,  the  TENRECS,  the  elegant 
little  MOUSE-LIKE  SHREWS  of  almost  world-wide  distribution,  and  the  WATER-SHREWS.  Of  these, 
hedgehogs  and  tenrecs  have  undergone  the  greatest  transformation.  By  a  curious  modification 
of  their  original  hairy  covering  they  have  developed  a  formidable  armour  of  sharp  spines 
When  alarmed,  the  former  roll  themselves  up  into  a  ball  by  the  contraction  of  powerful 
muscles,  and  so  present  an  almost  impregnable  armour  to  an  enemy.  Stoats  and^  ioxes, 
however,  appear  at  least  occasionally  to  succeed  in  overcoming  this  defence  and 
meal  of  the  vanquished.  . 

Tenrecs  are  found  in  Madagascar.     The  COMMON  TENREC  is  the  largest  of  all  insect-eaters, 

fim 


Photo  by  W.  Saville-Kent,  F.Z.S.] 


[Croydon. 


COBEGO. 

Vertical  (front)  view  of  the  cobego,  with  newly  born  and  naked  young  attached.     Note  the 
extension  of  the  membrane  between  the  toes  of  the  fore  feet  of  the  adult. 


iyo 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


and  one  of  the  most  prolific,  as  many  as 
twenty-one  having  been  produced  at  birth. 
Of  all  living  mammals  it  is  the  one  most 
nearly  allied  to  the  Marsupials. 

THE  MOLES. 

The  COMMON  MOLE  shows  a  most  perfect 
adaptation  to  its  underground  mode  of  life. 
The  general  form  of  the  animal  is  long, 
cylindrical,  and  pointed  in  front,  whilst  the 
legs  are  exceedingly  short,  the  foot  only 
in  the  fore  limb  projecting  from  the  body. 
This  foot  is  very  broad  and  spade-like  and 
immensely  powerful,  its  use  being  to  force 
a  way — often  with  incredible  speed — through 
the  soft,  yielding  soil,  and  not  to  support 
the  body,  as  in  running  or  walking.  The 
hind  feet  are  weak,  but  resemble  those  'of 
its  allies  the  shrews,  for  instance.  The  eyes 
have  become  reduced  to  mere  vestiges,  very 
difficult  to  find.  The  fur  has  become  so 
altered  in  structure  that  it  will  lie  equally 
smooth  whether  brushed  towards  head  or  tail, 
so  that  it  should  not  be  damaged  when 
the  animal  travels  backwards  in  its  burrow. 
External  ears  have  been  dispensed  with. 

Worms  form  the  staple  diet  of  the  mole, 
but  besides  underground  insects  of  all  kinds 
are  greedily  devoured.  This  animal  is  one  of 
the  most  voracious  feeders,  falling  ravenously 
upon  its  prey.  It  has  been  said  with  truth 

that  so  great  is   the   ferocity  displayed  by  the  mole  that  if  it  could  be  magnified   to   the  size 

of  the  lion  it  would  be  one  of  the  most  terrible  of  living  creatures.     That  a  constant  supply  of 

food  is  necessary  to  satiate  its  enormous 

appetite  is  shown  by  the  fact  that  a  mole 

will   succumb  to  an   abstinence   of  from 

ten  to  twelve  hours.     Moles  fight  among 

themselves    furiously;     and    if    two    are 

confined    together,    the    weaker   will    be 

attacked     and     devoured.       They     take 

readily    to   the    water,    and    instances  of 

moles    observed    in    the   act    of    crossing 

streams  are  numerous. 

It   is  a  curious   fact,  but  the   mole 

is   unknown    in    Ireland ;    yet   it   ranges 

from  England  in  the  west   through  Asia 

to  Japan. 

Careful   observation    seems    to   have 

shown     that     with     the    common     mole 

males  are  more  numerous  than  females. 

Whether  this   is   true   of   other   species 

remains  to  be  seen.     The  moles  of  North 


I'hoto  by  W.  SavUU-Kcnt,  F.Z.S.]  [< 

COBEGO  ASLEEP. 

All  four  limbs  are  used  in  suspending  itself  when  asleep,  as  in  the 
sloths.  In  this  position  the  cobego  closely  resembles,  and  is  mistaken  by 
its  enemies  for,  the  fruits  of  one  of  the  native  trees.  It  is  a  nocturnal 
animal. 


Photo  by  L.  Medland,  F.Z.S.] 

THREE   BABY  HEDGEHOGS. 


[North  Finchley. 


Young  hedgehogs  are  bom  blind  and  naked.  The  spines  on  their  first 
appearance  are  quite  soft ;  they  soon  harden,  and  at  the  same  time  the  power  to 
roll  the  body  up  into  a  ball  is  acquired. 


The    Bats   and    Insect*eating    Mammals 


171 


Photo  oy  A.  IS.  liudland  tfc  {suits. 

COMMON  MOLE. 
Note  that  this  mole  is  changing  its  coat. 


)f'".  UMiiuu-J^tiit,  i-'.4.z>.\  [Croydon. 

COMMON  MOLE. 
The  skeleton  is  here  revealed  by  the  Rontgen  rays. 


America   form  a  group   distinct    from   those  of  the  Old   World,    though    closely   allied   thereto. 
The  WEB-FOOTED  and  the  STAR-NOSED  MOLES  are  the  most  interesting  of  the  American  forms. 

Speaking  of  the  prodigious  speed  with  which  these  animals  burrow  their  way  through  the 
ground,  Dr.  Hart  Merriam  remarks  that  in  a  single  night,  after  rain,  they  have  been  known 
to  make  a  gallery  several  yards  in  length,  and  that  he  had  himself  traced  a  fresh  tunnel  for 
nearly  a  hundred  yards.  As  he  says,  we  can  only  appreciate  the  magnitude  of  this  labour 
by  comparison,  and  "  computation  shows  that,  in  order  to  perform  equivalent  work,  a  man  would 
have  to  excavate  in  a  single  night  a  tunnel  thirty-seven  miles  long,  and  of  sufficient  size  to 
easily  admit  of  the  passage  of  his  body." 

The  star-nosed  mole  is  peculiar  in  that  its  nose  is  surrounded  by  a  ring  of  finger-like 
processes,  forming  a  kind  of  rosette,  which  probably  acts  as  a  highly  sensitive  organ  of  touch  ; 
furthermore,  it  differs  from  other  moles  in  the  great  length  of  its  tail,  which  is  nearly  as  long 
as  its  body.  Like  the  mole,  this  species  makes  its  way  through  the  ground  with  great  speed. 
Beneficial  as  moles  undoubtedly  are  in  destroying  worms  and  obnoxious  insects,  yet  they 
are  regarded  as  a  pest  both  by  the  farmer  and  gardener.  That  there  is  some  justification  for 
this  dislike  must  be  admitted;  for  the  farmer  suffers  in  that,  in  the  search  for  food,  crops  are 
damaged  by  cutting  through  the  roots  of  plants — the  gardener  not  only  for  the  same  reason, 
but  also  because  the  ridges  and  hillocks  which  they  make  in  their  course  disfigure  the  paths 
and  beds  of  a  well-kept  garden. 

The  nearest  allies  of  the  moles  are  the  curious  aquatic  DESMANS  of  Russia,  and  the  SHREWS, 

quite  mole-like  in 
having  adopted  a 
life. 

ING  SHREWS  are  not 
great  group  which 
mole-like  shape,  for 
hog-like  TENRECS  is 
animal  known  as 
The  mole-like  shape 
animal  is  another 
tion  to  a  similar 
fore  limb  of  the 
provided  with  huge 
used  for  digging 
is  not  broadened 
the  common  mole, 
this  unnecessary. 


some  of  which  are 
form,  owing  to  their 
similar  mode  of 
The  BURROW- 
the  only  forms  in  the 
have  assumed  a 
allied  to  the  hedge- 
a  r  em  arkable 
the  GOLDEN  MOLE. 
of  the  body  of  this 
instance  of  adapta- 
mode  of  life.  The 
golden  mole  is 
claws,  which  are 
purposes;  the  hand 
out  spade-like,  as  in 
the  claws  rendering 


Photo  by  A.  S.  Rudland,  <fc  Sons. 

GOLDEN  MOLE. 

This  is  found  only  in  South  Africa.    The  name  is  derived  from  the  wonderful 
metallic  lustre  of  the  fur  :  the  brilliancy  of  the  hues  is  intensified  by  immersion 

in  spirit. 


CHAPTER   XI. 

THE  ELEPHANT,   TAPIR,   HYRAX,   AND  RHINOCEROS. 


THE  ELEPHANT. 


A 


BY   F.    C.    SELOUS. 

T  once  the  mightiest  and  most  majestic  of  all  terrestrial 
mammals,  the  elephant  appeals  to  the  imagination  more 
forcibly    than    any    other    living    animal,    not    only    on 
account  of  its  great  sagacity  and  the  strangeness  and  singularity 
of  its  outward  appearance,  but  also  because  it  is  such  an  obvious 
link  'between  the  world  of  to-day  and  the  dim  and  distant  past 
of  Pleiocene  and  Miocene  times. 

There  are  two  existing  species  of  elephant,  the  AFRICAN 
and  the  ASIATIC,  the  latter,  from  the  structure  of  its  molar 
teeth  and  the  shape  of  its  skull,  appearing  to  be  very  nearly 
related  to  the  MAMMOTH,  which  lived  upon  the  earth  in 
comparatively  recent  times— geologically  speaking — and  was 
undoubtedly  contemporary  with  man  in  Europe  during  the 
Stone  Age. 

There  are  very  considerable  differences  both  in  the  external 
appearance  and  also  in  the  habits  of  the  two  existing  forms 
of  elephant.  In  the  African  species  the  forehead  is  more 
convex  and  the  eye  relatively  larger  than  in  its  Asiatic  cousin  ; 
and  whilst  the  ears  of  the  latter  are  only  of  moderate  size, 
those  of  the  former  are  so  large  that  they  at  once  arrest  the 
attention,  and  are  one  of  that  animal's  most  remarkable  external 
characteristics.  Both  sexes  of  the  African  species,  with  few 
exceptions,  carry  well-developed  tusks,  but  in  the  Asiatic  form 
the  tusks  of  the  females  are  so  small  as  scarcely  to  protrude 
beyond  the  jaws.  In  Asia,  too,  tuskless  bull  elephants  are 
common,  whilst  males  of  the  African  species  without  tusks 
are  extremely  rare.  The  latter  species  has  but  three  nails  on 
the  hind  foot,  the  Asiatic  elephant  four.  In  the  African 
species  the  middle  of  the  back  is  hollowed,  the  shoulder  being  the  highest  point,  whilst 
in  the  Asiatic  elephant  the  back  is  arched,  and  the  top  of  the  shoulder  lower  than  the  highest 
part  of  the  back.  The  extremity  of  the  proboscis  is  also  different  in  the  two  species,  the 
African  elephant  being  furnished  with  two  nearly  equal-sized  prolongations,  the  one  on  the 
front,  the  other  on  the  hinder  margin,  with  which  small  objects  can  be  grasped  as  with 
the  finger  and  thumb  of  the  human  hand,  whilst  in  the  Asiatic  species  the  finger-like 
process  on  the  upper  margin  of  the  end  of  the  trunk  is  considerably  longer  than  that  on 
the  under-side.  In  external  appearance  the  skin  of  the  African  elephant  is  darker  in  colour 
and  rougher  in  texture  than  that  of  the  Asiatic  form.  The  molar  teeth  of  the  former  animal 
are,  too,  of  much  coarser  construction,  with  fewer  and  larger  plates  and  thicker  enamel 

172 


Photo  by  M.  E.  F.  Baird,  Esq. 

A  FINE  TUSKEB. 

The  male  Indian  elephant   has    smaller 
tusks  than  the  African  species. 


Photo  by  Fratelli  Alinu,ri] 


[Florence. 


A  YOUNG   INDIAN   ELEPHANT. 
This  animal  has  heen  trained  to  "  salute  "  by  raising  its  trunk  and  foot.     It  has  lost  the  end  of  its  tail. 

173 


174 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


than  in  the  latter,  which  would  naturally  lead  one  to  suppose  that  the  African  elephant  is 
accustomed  to  eat  coarser,  harder  food  than  the  Asiatic  species.  This  supposition  is  borne  out 
by  fact ;  for  whilst  the  Asiatic  elephant  feeds  mainly  upon  grass,  the  leaves  and  fruit  of  the 
wild  plantain,  and  the  young  shoots  of  the  bamboo,  together  with  the  leaves,  twigs,  and  bark 
of  certain  trees,  the  African  species  never  eats  grass,  and,  although  very  fond  of  certain  kinds 
of  soft  and  succulent  food,  such  as  wild  fruits  and  the  inner  bark  of  certain  trees,  is  constantly 
engaged  in  chewing  up  the  roots  and  branches  of  trees  as  thick  as  a  man's  wrist  for  the  sake 
of  the  sap  and  bark,  the  woody  portions  being  rejected  after  having  been  reduced  to  pulp.  The 
Asiatic  elephant  appears  to  be  far  less  tolerant  of  exposure  to  the  heat  of  the  sun  than  the 
African  ;  and  whilst  the  latter  may  often  be  found  standing  at  rest  or  sleeping  throughout 
the  hottest  hours  of  the  day  in  long  grass  or  scrubby  bush  of  a  height  not  sufficient  to 
afford  any  protection  from  the  sun  to  the  whole  of  the  upper  portion  of  the  head  and  body, 
the  former,  when  in  a  wild  state,  is  said  to  always  seek  the  shade  of  the  densest  forests  it  can 
find  during  hot  weather. 

The  Asiatic  elephant  often  lies  down  when  resting  and  sleeping.  This  is  in  marked 
contrast  to  the  African  species,  which,  if  it  ever  does  lie  down  at  all,  except  to  roll  in  mud  or 
rub  itself  against  an  ant-heap,  can  only  do  so  very  rarely,  since  in  all  my  experience,  though  I 
have  seen  some  thousands  of  African  elephants  standing  sleeping  during  the  heat  of  the  day, 
I  have  never  yet  seen  one  of  these  animals  lying  down,  nor  found  the  impress  in  the  ground 
where  one  had  been  so  lying. 

When  excited  and  charging,  both  species  of  elephant  raise  their  heads  and  cock  their  ears, 
which  in  the  African  animal  stand  out  at  such  a  time  like  two  sails,  and,  being  each  upwards  of 
3|  feet  in  breadth,  cover,  together  with  the  animal's  head,  an  expanse  of  fully  10  feet.  The 
Asiatic  elephant  is  said  to  remain  mute  whilst  charging,  and  to  hold  its  trunk  tightly  curled 
up  between  its  tusks.  The  African  elephant,  on  the  other  hand,  usually  accompanies  a  charge 
with  a  constant  succession  of  short,  sharp  trumpeting  screams.  Sometimes,  though  rarely, 
however,  animals  of  this  species  remain  mute  whilst  charging,  but  they  never,  I  believe,  coil 
their  trunks  up  under  their  throats.  Often  an  African  elephant  will  swing  round  for  a  charge 
with  a  loud  scream  and.  trunk  held  high  in  the  air;  but  in  my  experience,  when  settling 
down  to  a  chase,  it  drops  its  trunk  and  holds  it  pointing  straight  down  in  front  of  its  chest. 

In     the    southern     portions    of    the 


African  Continent  the  average  standing 
height  at  the  shoulder  of  full-grown  bull 
elephants  ranges  from  10  feet  to  10  feet 
6  inches,  though  individuals  have  doubtless 
been  met  with  in  those  districts  which 
have  much  exceeded  these  dimensions.  In 
North  Central  Africa  the  average  standing 
height  appears  to  be  some  inches  higher, 
approaching  1 1  feet,  and  in  those  districts 
it  is  quite  possible  that  individuals  exist 
which  exceed  12  feet  in  height.  African 
cow  elephants  stand  from  8  feet  to  8  feet 
6  inches  at  the  shoulder.  The  Asiatic 
species  is  considerably  smaller  than  the 
African,  the  average  height  of  full-grown 
males  not  exceeding  9  feet,  though  certain 
individuals  now  and  then  attain  to  a  much 
greater  size,  as  is  indicated  by  the  fact 
that  there  is  a  mounted  skeleton  of  an 
Indian  elephant  in  the  Museum  at  Cal- 
cutta which  stands  1 1  feet  3  inches  at  the 


Esq. 


THE  CHIEF   OF   CHIENGMAl'S  CAUKIAGE. 
This  victoria  was  drawn  l>y  a  young  Indian  elephant. 


The    Elephant,    Tapir,    Hyrax,    and    Rhinoceros          175 


Photo  by  M.  E.  F.  Baird,  Esq. 

TIMBER-ELEPHANTS. 
This  photograph  was  taken  at  Lakou,  in  Upper  Siam.     Notice  the  large  teak  log  in  the  foreground. 

shoulder.  In  the  size  of  its  tusks  the  African  elephant  far  surpasses  the  Asiatic  species.  In 
India  a  pair  of  tusks  measuring  5  feet  in  length  and  weighing  70  Ibs.  the  pair  would,  I  think, 
be  considered  large,  though  an  elephant  was  killed  by  Sir  Victor  Brooke  in  the  Garo  Hills  with 
a  single  tusk  measuring  8  feet  in  length,  17  inches  in  circumference,  and  weighing  90  Ibs., 
and  a  few  tusks  even  exceeding  these  dimensions  have  been  recorded.  In  Southern  Africa 
the  tusks  of  full-grown  bull  elephants  usually  weigh  from  80  to  120  Ibs.  the  pair,  and 
measure  about  6  feet  in  length,  with  a  circumference  of  from  16  to  18  inches;  but  these 
weights  and  measurements  have  often  been  much  exceeded,  and  in  my  own  experience  I  have 
known  of  two  pairs  of  elephants'  tusks  having  been  obtained  south  of  the  Zambesi,  each  of 
which  weighed  slightly  over  300  Ibs.,  each  tusk  measuring  upwards  of  9  feet  in  length,  whilst 
a  single  tusk  brought  from  the  neighbourhood  of  Lake  N  garni  in  1873  weighed  174  Ibs. 
The  average  weight  of  cow-elephant  tusks  in  Southern  Africa  is  from  20  to  30  Ibs.  the  pair, 
but  I  have  seen  the  tusk  of  a  cow  elephant  killed  in  Matabililand  which  weighed  39  Ibs. 
and  measured  over  6  feet  in  length,  whilst  its  fellow  almost  equalled  it  in  size  and  weight. 
In  North  Central  Africa,  according  to  Sir  Samuel  Baker,  the  tusks  of  full-grown  elephants 
average  about  140  Ibs.  the  pair,  and  tusks  weighing  upwards  of  100  Ibs.  each  are  not  at  all 
uncommon,  whilst  many  of  a  much  greater  size  have  been  obtained. 

Until  quite  recently  a  tusk  in  the  possession  of  Sir  E.  Gr.  Loder,  which  weighs  184  Ibs. 
and  measures  9  feet  5  inches  in  length,  with  a  circumference  of  22 £  inches,  was  supposed 
to  be  the  largest  in  existence;  but  in  1899  two  tusks  were  obtained  near  Kilimanjaro,  in 
East  Central  Africa,  both  of  which  much  exceed  this  weight.  These  enormous  tusks  were  at 
first  stated  to  be  a  pair  taken  from  a  single  elephant ;  but  though  nearly  equal  in  weight 
they  are  said  to  be  differently  shaped,  and  as  their  history  is  not  yet  fully  known  it  is 
possible,  though  not  probable,  that  they  originally  belonged  to  two  different  elephants.  The 
larger  of  these  two  tusks  has  recently  been  purchased  for  the  collection  of  the  British 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


FEMALE   INDIAN  ELEPHANT   DRAGGING   TEAK. 
The  teak  logs  are  floated  down  the  Burmese  rivers  and  dragged  out  by  elephants. 


Museum  (Natural  History),  where  it  may  now  be  seen.  It  weighs  228  Ibs.,  measures  10  feet 
2£  inches  on  the  outside  curve,  and  24£  in  girth  at  the  thickest  part.  The  tusks  of  cow 
elephants  are  also  considerably  larger  and  heavier  on  the  average  in  East  Central  and  North 
Central  Africa  than  in  the  southern  portions  of  the  continent. 

At  the  present  time  the  Asiatic  elephant  is  found  in  a  wild  state  in  most  of  the  forest- 
covered  tracts  of  India,  Ceylon,  Assam,  Burma,  Siarn,  Cochin-China,  Sumatra,  and  Borneo ; 
whilst  the  African  species,  although  it  has  been  hunted  out  of  large  tracts  of  country  in  South 
and  South-western  Africa,  still  inhabits  the  greater  part  of  the  continent  south  of  the  Sahara, 
and  in  many  districts  of  Central  Africa  appears  to  be  extraordinarily  abundant.  In  the  Cape 
Colony  two  herds  still  exist  under  the  protection  of  the  Government. 

•  As  might  be  expected  from  the  greater  length  of  its  legs,  and  consequent  longer  stride, 
the  African  elephant  is  admitted  by  those  who  have  had  experience  of  both  species  to  be  a 
more  active  animal  than  its  Asiatic  cousin.  Speaking  of  the  walking  and  running  powers  of 
the  Indian  elephant,  that  great  authority  Mr.  Sanderson  says  that  "  the  only  pace  of  the 
elephant  is  the  walk,  capable  of  being  increased  to  a  fast  shuffle  of  about  fifteen  miles  an  hour 
for  very  short  distances.  It  can  neither  trot,  canter,  nor  gallop.  It  does  not  move  with  the 
legs  on  the  same  side,  but  nearly  so.  A  very  good  runner  might  keep  out  of  an  elephant's 
way  on  a  smooth  piece  of  turf,  but  on  the  ground  in  which  they  are  generally  met  with  any 
attempt  to  escape  by  flight,  unless  supplemented  by  concealment,  would  be  unavailing."  This 
description  exactly  coincides  with  my  own  experience  of  the  African  elephant,  except  that  I 
think  that  animals  of  the  latter  species,  especially  cows  and  young  bulls,  are  capable  of  getting 
up  a  pace  of  at  least  twenty  miles  an  hour,  and  keeping  it  up  for  from  100  to  200  yards, 
when  charging. 


The    Elephant,    Tapir,    Hyrax,    and    Rhinoceros          177 

In  disposition  both  African  and  Asiatic  elephants  are  as  a  rule  timid  animals,  and,  excepting 
in  the  case  of  males  of  the  latter  species  when  suffering  from  seiual  excitement,  are  always 
inclined  to  shun  danger.  I  have  never  heard  of  male  elephants  of  the  African  species 
becoming  savage  and  aggressive  at  any  season  of  the  year;  indeed,  old  bulls  always  appeared  to 
me  to  be  less  inclined  to  charge  than  cows  or  young  bulls.  The  eyesight  of  the  elephant — of 
the  African  species  at  least — is  bad,  and  his  hearing  not  particularly  acute  ;  but1  his  olfactory 
nerves  are  probably  more  highly  developed  than  in  any  other  animal,  and,  aided  by  thin 
exquisite  sense  of  smell,  he  will  avoid  a  human  being  if  possible.  But  if  elephants  are 
attacked  and  wounded,  they  become  savage  and  dangerous  animals;  and  the  charge  of  an 
African  elephant,  coming  on  with  the  great  ears  outspread,  to  the  accompaniment  of  a  quick 
succession  of  short,  sharp  trumpeting  screams,  besides  being  very  sudden  and  rapid,  is  very 
disconcerting  to  the  nerves  of  a  man  unaccustomed  to  such  experiences.  I  remember  the  case 
of  a  young  Englishman  who  was  killed  in  Matabililand  many  years  ago  by  the  first  elephant 
he  had  ever  seen.  This  animal — an  old  bull — had  retired,  after  having  been  wounded,  into  a 
small  but  dense  patch  of  thorn-bush,  into  which  its  pursuer  thought  it  unadvisable  to  follow 
on  horseback.  He  therefore  left  his  horse,  and  advanced  on  foot  towards  the  cluster  of  trees 
amongst  which  the  elephant  was  concealed.  The  latter,  having  either  seen  or  smelt  the 
approaching  enemy,  at  once  charged  out,  screaming  loudly ;  and  the  young  hunter,  instead  of 
standing  his  ground  and  firing  at  the  advancing  monster,  lost  his  presence  of  mind,  and,  turning, 
ran  for  his  horse;  but  before  he  reached  it  he  was  overtaken  and  killed.  It  seemed  to  the 
friend  who  found  his  body  (he  was  close  at  hand  shooting  another  elephant  at  the  time,  and 
pieced  the  story  together  from  the  tracks  of  man,  horse,  and  elephant)  that  the  victim  had  first 
been  struck  in  the  back  of  the  head  by  one  of  his  pursuer's  tusks — at  any  rate  his  skull  had 
been  smashed  to  pieces  and  emptied  of  its  brains.  Then  the  elephant  had  rushed  upon  him 
where  he  fell,  and,  after  first  having  driven  a  tusk  right  through  his  chest  and  deep  into  the 


Photo  by  M.  E.  F.  Baird,  Esq. 

INDIAN   ELEPHANTS   BATHING. 
These  animals  love  a  bath,  and  will  walk  on  the  bottom  of  a  deep  river  with  only  their  trunks  raised  above  the  water. 


23 


178 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


ground,  had  stamped  him  into  a  bloody  pulp  with  his  huge  feet.  A  waggon  was  brought 
the  same  night,  and  the  mangled  body  carried  to  the  hunter's  camp  on  the  banks  of  the 
Kamokwebani,  where  it  was  buried. 

The  strength  of  the  elephant  is  proverbial;  and  in  India  and  Burma,  where  this  animal 
has  for  ages  past  been  trained  in  the  service  of  man,  this  power  is  habitually  made  use  of 
in  moving  and  stacking  large  baulks  of  timber,  or  in  dragging  heavy  guns  through  muddy 
ground  or  up  steep  ascents.  In  Africa  the  traveller  is  often  astonished  at  the  size  of  trees- 
which  have  been  uprooted  and  overturned  by  elephants.  These  trees,  however,  have  no  tap- 
root, and  have  not  therefore  a  very  firm  hold  in  the  ground,  especially  during  the  rainy 
season,  when  the  ground  is  soft.  At  this  time  of  year  large  trees  are  butted  down  by 
elephants,  which  push  against  their  stems  with  the  thick  part  of  their  trunks,  and  get  them 
on  the  swing,  until  the  roots  become  loosened  and  the  trees  are  at  last  overturned.  Small 
trees  of  2  or  3  inches  in  diameter,  as  well  as  branches,  they  break  off  with  their  trunks.  In 
1878  a  tuskless  bull  elephant — I  met  the  same  animal  again  in  1885,  and  he  is  the  only 
African  bull  elephant  without  tusks  I  have  ever  seen — killed  a  native  hunter  in  Mashonaland. 
This  man,  a  big  powerful  Zulu  and  a  great  friend  of  my  own,  was  torn  into  three  pieces. 
I  imagine  that,  after  having  caught  him,  the  elephant  held  the  unfortunate  man  down  with 
his  foot  or  knee,  and  then,  twisting  his  trunk  round  his  body,  tore  him  asunder — surely  a 
terrible  exhibition  of  strength. 

The  elephant  is  a  very  slow-growing  and  long-lived  animal,  not  arriving  at  maturity  until 
upwards  of  thirty  years  of  age;  and  since  cases  are  on  record  of  elephants  having  lived  for 
upwards  of  130  years  in  captivity  in  India,  it  is  probable  that  in  a  wild  state  these  animalsr 
both  in  Asia  and  Africa,  often  attain  to  an  age  of  150  years.  The  female  elephant  produces,. 
as  a  rule,  but  one  calf  at  birth,  the  period  of  gestation  lasting  from  eighteen  to  nearly 
twenty-two  months.  The  mammse  of  the  cow  elephant  are  placed  between  the  fore  legs,  and 
the,  new-born  calf  sucks  with  its  mouth,  holding  its  trunk  turned  back  over  its  head.  I  have 
seen  elephant  calves  so  engaged. 

Although  there  is  no  reason  to  doubt  that  the  African  elephant  is  as  intelligent  as  the- 
Asiatic  species,  its  domestication  has  never  been  attempted  by  the  Negro  or  Bantu  races  of 
Africa.  It  is  believed,  however,  that  the 
African  elephant  was  in  ancient  times 
domesticated  by  the  Carthaginians,  and  used 
by  them  in  their  wars  with  the  Eomans. 
The  opinion,  too,  is  generally  held  that  the 
elephants  with  which  Hannibal  crossed  the 
Alps  were  of  the  African  species,  as  well  as 
those  which,  after  the  conquest  of  Carthage, 
were  used  in  the  Eoman  amphitheatres  and 
military  pageants.  On  the  other  hand,  it  is 
well  to  remember  that  the  late  Mr.  W.  Cotton 
Oswell,  who  had  had  great  experience  both 
with  African  and  Asiatic  elephants,  wrote  as 
follows  on  this  subject:  "I  believe  some 
people  suppose  the  Carthaginians  tamed  and 
used  the  African  elephant ;  they  could  hardly 
have  had  mahouts  Indian  fashion,  for  there  is 
no  marked  depression  in  the  nape  of  the  neck 
for  a  seat,  and  the  hemming  of  the  ears  when 
erected  would  have  half  smothered  them.  My 
knowledge  does  not  allow  me  to  raise  any 
argument  on  this  point ;  but  might  not  the 
same  market  have  been  open  to  the  dwellers 


[Highbury. 


Photo  by  J.  W.  McLdlan} 

AFRICAN   ELEPHANT. 

The  difference  in  profile  between  this  and  the  Indian  species  is  noticeable 
The  forehead  is  receding  and  the  ears  much  larger  in  the  African  species. 


The    Elephant,    Tapir,    Hyrax,    and    Rhinoceros          179 


-•at  Carthage  as  was  afterwards 
to  Mithridates,  who,  I  suppose, 
•drew  his  supply  from  India  ? 
I  know  in  the  representations 
•of  elephants  on  the  medals 
of  Faustina  and  of  Septimus 
Severus  the  ears  are  African, 
though  the  bodies  and  heads 
are  Indian  ;  but  these  were 
struck  nearly  400  years  after 
Carthaginian  times,  when  the 
whole  known  world  had  been 
•ransacked  by  the  Romans  for 
beasts  for  their  public  shows; 
and  I  still  think  it  possible 
that  the  Carthaginians — the 
great  traders  and  colonisers 
•of  old — may  have  obtained 
elephants  through  some  of 
their  colonies  from  India." 

An  interesting  example 
•of  the  intelligence  of  these 
animals  can  be  seen  any 
day  at  the  London  Zoological 
•Gardens.  A  large  African  ele- 
phant restores  to  his  would-be 
entertainers  all  the  biscuits, 
whole  or  broken,  which  strike 
the  bars  and  fall  alike  out 
of  his  reach  and  theirs  in 
the  space  between  the  barrier 
and  his  cage.  He  points  his 
trunk  at  the  biscuits,  and 

blows  them  hard  along  the  floor  to  the  feet  of  the  persons  who  have  thrown  them.    He  clearly  knows 
what  he  is  doing,  because,  if  the  biscuits  do  not  travel  far  enough,  he  gives  them  a  harder  blow. 

TAPIRS  AND   HYRAX. 

BY   W.    P.   PYCRAFT,   A.L.S.,   F.Z.S. 

TAPIRS  are  -odd-looking  creatures,  and,  strange  as  it  may  seem,  are  nevertheless  related 
•on  the  one  hand  to  the  rhinoceroses,  and  on  the  other  to  the  horses.  They  are  furthermore 
extremely  interesting  animals,  because  they  have  undergone  less  modification  of  form  than  any 
other  members  of  the  group  to  which  they  belong.  This  we  know  because  fossil  tapirs, 
belonging  to  a  very  remote  period  of  the  world's  history,  are  practically  indistinguishable  from 
those  now  living. 

The  general  form  of  the  body  may  perhaps  be  described  as  pig-like ;  the  head,  too, 
suggests  that  animal.  But  the  pig's  snout  is  here  produced  into  a  short  proboscis,  or  trunk. 
'The  feet  are  quite  unlike  those  of  the  pig,  and  resemble  those  of  the  rhinoceros.  The  fore 
feet  have  each  four  and  the  hind  feet  three  toes ;  these  are  all  encased  in  large  horse-like 
'hoofs.  The  tail  is  reduced  to  a  mere  stump. 

Tapirs  are  shy  and  inoffensive  animals,  living  in  the  seclusion  of  dense  forests  in  the 
neighbourhood  of  water,  in  which  element  they  are  quite  at  home ;  indeed,  it  is  said  that 
they  will  frequently  dive  and  walk  along  the  bed  of  the  river.  They  are  also  fond  of 


Photo  by  L.  Medland,  F.Z.S.] 

MALE  AFRICAN   ELEPHANT  DRINKING. 
Note  the  great  size  of  the  tusks  and  base  of  the  trunk. 


[Nmlh  Finchley. 


i8o 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


Photo  by  York  &  Son]  {Notting  Hill. 

MALAYAN  TAPIR. 

The  largest  of  all  the  tapirs.      Is  easily  distinguished  from  the  American  tapirs  by  the  patch  of 
white  on  the  middle  of  its  body. 


wallowing  in  mud,  partly,  it 
is  believed,  that  they  may 
encase  themselves  with  it  as  a 
protection  against  the  annoy- 
ance of  flies.  They  feed  on 
shoots  of  trees,  bushes,  leaves, 
and  fallen  fruits,  foraging 
during  the  evening,  and 
possibly  far  into  the  night. 

Tapirs  are  hunted  by  the 
natives  for  the  sake  of  their 
thick  hides,  which  are  cut  into 
thongs  for  reins  and  bridles. 
The  flesh  also  is  esteemed 
by  some.  There  are  three 
methods  of  capture.  In  South 
America  the  lasso  is  used 
with  occasional  success.  But 
when  not  foiled  by  under- 
growth, the  hunter  often  loses 
his  victim  by  reason  of  the 
violence  and  force  of  its  rush,  which  snaps  the  thong.  The  Gauchos  intercept  it  with  dogs  on 
its  way  to  the  water,  when  it  will  fight  furiously,  and  many  dogs  may  be  killed  before  its 
dispatch  is  accomplished.  Others  imitate  its  peculiar,  shrill  call,  and  shoot  it  on  its  approach 
in  answer  thereto.  Captives  are  easily  tamed,  and  may  be  seen  walking  about  the  streets  in 
many  South  American  towns.  They  wander  into  the  forest  by  day,  returning  in  the  evening 
to  be  fed,  and  are  said  to  display  great  affection.  On  account  of  their  great  strength,  it  has 
been  suggested  that  such  captives  should  be  used  as  beasts  of  burden. 

Except  the  MALAYAN  TAPIR,  which  is  black  and  white,  tapirs  are  black  or  dark  brown  in 
colour,  and  but  scantily  clothed  with  hair ;  but  the  young,  it  is  interesting  to  note,  are 
spotted  and  striped  with  white  or  fawn-colour  on  a  dark  ground,  a  coloration  recalling  that  of 
the  wild  pig. 

There  are  five  different  species  of  tapir.  Their  geographical  distribution  is  remarkable, 
four  species  being  South  American,  and  one  belonging  to  the  Malayan  region.  But  far  back  in 
the  world's  history,  as  we  know  from  fossils,  tapirs  roamed  over  the  warm  and  temperate  regions 
of  Europe,  and  their  remains  have  been  found  in  China  and  the  United  States.  Thus  the 
intervening  gaps  existing  to-day  have  been  made  by  the  extinction  of  these  intermediate  species. 

By  nature  the  tapir  appears  to  be  a  harmless  and  inoffensive  animal,  flying  even  before  the 
smallest  dog.  Occasionally,  however,  it  displays  great  courage  and  ferocity,  and  this  appears  to 
be  especially  the  case  with  females  deprived  of  their  young.  -  At  such  times  they  will  charge 
with  great  spirit,  and  knock  down,  trample  on,  and  bite  their  victim  after  the  fashion  of 
wild  swine. 

Man  alone  excepted,  the  most  deadly  foe  of  the  AMERICAN  TAPIR  is  the  jaguar,  as  is  the 
tiger  of  the  Malay  species.  The  American  tapir  often  gets  rid  of  the  jaguar  by  rushing  at  full 
speed  into  the  dense  jungle,  thus  sweeping  its  assailant  from  its  back,  the  jaguar's  claws 
finding  but  an  insecure  hold  on  its  victim's  thick  hide.  Tapirs  are  often  found  bearing  scars 
all  over  the  back,  witnessing  the  terrible  nature  of  the  wounds  received  at  such  times. 

That  the  tapir  is  a  comparatively  unknown  animal  is  partly  accounted  for  by  the  fact  that 
it  is  but  little  sought  after  by  the  big-game  hunter — who  finds  more  excitement  in  pursuit 
of  its  larger  relative  the  rhinoceros — and  partly,  perhaps,  owing  to  its  inhabiting  regions 
comparatively  little  visited  by  Europeans.  Nevertheless,  the  tapir  is  an  animal  of  quite  peculiar 
interest,  having  undergone  but  little  change  during  long  ages,  whilst  its  ally  the  horse  has 


The    Elephant,    Tapir,    Hyrax,    and    Rhinoceros          181 


effected  in  the  same  time  a  complete  transformation,  not  only  in  its  general  shape,  but  more 
especially  in  its  teeth  and  feet.  The  gradual  steps  by  which  this  transformation  has  been 
brought  about  we  can  trace  through  certain  fossil  forms,  of  which  we  can  say  little  here. 

Amongst  these  fossils  occur  remains  of  an  animal  bearing  a  very  strong  resemblance  to 
the  living  tapir,  but  which,  strangely  enough,  is  not  really  so  closely  related  thereto  as  to  the 
horses.  It  does  not,  however,  stand  in  the  direct  line  of  descent  of  these  latter,  but  must  be 
regarded  as  representing  a  collateral  branch  thereof.  The  occurrence  of  this  distinct  tapir-like 
animal  is  of  great  scientific  interest. 

The  short,  stout  legs  and  spreading  toes  of  the  living  tapirs,  rhinoceroses,  and  ancestral 
horse  are  admirably  adapted  for  plodding  deliberately  over  soft  and  yielding  ground,  such  as 
is  afforded  by  reed-beds  and  banks  of  rivers,  or  the  shady  depths  of  forests.  Speed  in  such 
surroundings  is  not  necessary,  food  in  plenty  being  always  at  hand,  and  escape  from  enemies 
being  sought  by  concealment  in  thick  herbage  rather  than  flight.  With  a  migration  to  drier 
and  higher  plains,  the  spreading  foot  has  undergone  a  change.  The  short  legs  and  numerous 
toes  have  given  place  to  long  ones,  and  of  the  several  toes  growth  has  taken  place  in  one 
only — the  third;  whilst  the  others  have  slowly  dwindled,  till  eventually  only  traces  of  the 
second  and  fourth  remain,  as  in  the  modern  horse.  Thus  has  a  firmer  support  over  hard, 
unyielding  ground  been  brought  about,  and  great  speed  gained.  The  animals  with  this  type 
of  foot  (in  which  the  third  is  the  largest  toe)  are  known  as  the  Odd-toed  Hoofed  Animals.  The 
pigs,  sheep,  deer,  and  oxen 
have  gained  an  equally 
efficient  foot,  yet  retaining 
four  toes.  Of  these,  the  third 
and  fourth  are  equal  in  size, 
and  serve  as  a  support  to  the 
body,  whilst  the  second  and 
fifth  have  now  become  func- 
tionless,  and  do  not  reach  the 
ground.  This  type  of  foot 
characterises  that  group  of 
the  hoofed  animals  known  as 
the  Even-toed. 

THE  HYRAX. 

This  is  one  of  the  most 
remarkable  of  living  mam- 
mals, and  one  of  the  greatest 
puzzles  to  zoologists,  having  no 
near  living  relatives.  Though 
bearing  some  resemblance  to 
an  earless  rabbit,  it  really 
belongs  to  the  hoofed 
animals,  and  amongst  them 
comes  perhaps  somewhat 
nearer  the  rhinoceros  than 
to  any  other  animal.  It  is 
the  CONEY  of  the  Bible.  It 
inhabits  the  rocky  districts 
of  Syria  and  parts  of  Africa. 
It  is  a  vegetable-feeder,  and 
very  wary.  About  a  dozen 
species  are  known. 


Photo  by  G.  W.  Wilson 


Co.,  Ltd.} 
COMMON  AMERICAN  TAPIR. 


[Aberdeen. 


This  tapir  inhabits  tropical  America.  It  is  a  nocturnal  animal,  frequenting  the  depths 
of  shady  forests  in  the  neighbourhood  of  water,  to  which  it  frequently  resorts  for  the  purpose  of 
bathing,  or  as  a  refuge  from  pursuit. 


182 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


t.^-  _,; -          -,     •  --*•-  /  -  ^ 

Photo  by  JT.  P.  Dando]  [Regent's  Park. 

HAIRY-EARED   SUMATRAN   RHINOCEROS. 

This  species  is  found  in  Eastern  Bengal  and  in  the  Malay  Peninsula  and 
adjacent  large  islands. 


THE   RHINOCEROS. 

BY   F.    C.    SELOUS. 

OF  the  five  existing  species  of  RHINO- 
CEROS, three  are  found  in  Asia,  whilst  two 
are  inhabitants  of  Africa. 

Of  the  three  Asiatic  species,  two,  the 
INDIAN  and  the  JAVAN,  are  one-horned,  and 
have  a  single  pair  of  broad  incisor  teeth  in 
the  upper  jaw,  and  a  pair  of  sharp-edged  and 
pointed  tusks  in  the  lower,  the  nasal  bones 
being  long  and  narrow,  and  terminating  in 
a  point.  In  both  these  species  the  skin  is 
hairless  (except  for  tufts  or  fringes  at  the 
extremity  of  the  tail  and  on  the  edges  of 
the  ears),  and  is  arranged  in  shield-like 
folds  over  the  body.  The  arrangement  of 
these  folds,  however,  differs  somewhat  in 
the  two  species,  and  the  large  round 
tubercles  with  which  the  skin  of  the  great 
Indian  rhinoceros  is  profusely  studded  are 
wanting  in  the  Javan  species. 

The  INDIAN  EHINOCEROS  inhabits  the 
Terai  at  the  foot  of  the  Himalaya  from 
Bhutan  to  Nepal,  and  is  said  to  be  very 
abundant  in  Assam  and  the  Bhutan  Dooars. 

It  frequents  swampy  ground,  and  lives  amongst  jungles  and  dense  growths  of  reeds  and  grass, 
which  attain  a  height  sometimes  of  20  feet,  and  cover  vast  areas  of  ground  in  the  valley  of 
the  Brahmaputra  and  other  rivers. 

Owing  to  the  nature  of  the  country  in  which  it  lives,  the  Indian  rhinoceros  cannot  often 
be  hunted  with  much  prospect  of  success,  except  with  the  aid  of  elephants,  which  sagacious 
animals  are  not  only  employed  to  carry  the  hunters,  but  are  also  used  to  beat  the  great  grass 
jungles  in  which  the  rhinoceroses  lie  hidden,  and  drive  them  towards  the  guns. 

Despite  its  great  size  and  strength,  the  Indian  rhinoceros  seems  to  be  regarded  as,  in 
general,  a  timid  and  inoffensive  animal,  and  even  when  wounded  it  seldom  charges  home. 
Elephants,  however,  appear  to  be  as  a  rule  nervous  when  in  the  near  proximity  of  rhinoceroses, 
perhaps  objecting  to  the  smell  of  those  animals.  When  the  Indian  rhinoceros  does  make  good 
its  charge  against  either  man  or  elephant,  it  cuts  and  rips  its  enemy  with  its  teeth,  and 
makes  little  use  of  its  horn  as  an  offensive  weapon. 

The  Indian  rhinoceros  is  said  to  live  principally,  if  not  entirely,  on  grass  and  reeds.  As 
a  rule  it  is  a  solitary  animal,  but  sometimes  several  are  found  living  in  a  comparatively  small 
extent  of  grass-covered  plain. 

Large  males  of  this  species  will  stand  from  5  feet  9  inches  to  6  feet  at  the  shoulder,  and 
they  are  enormously  bulky.  Both  sexes  carry  well-developed  horns,  which,  however,  do  not 
usually  attain  a  length  of  upwards  of  12  inches.  There  is  a  specimen  in  the  British  Museum 
measuring  19  inches,  and  it  is  believed  that  in  very  exceptional  instances  a  length  of  2  feet 
has  been  attained. 

The  JAVAN  RHINOCEROS,  though  it  has  been  called  the  Lesser  Indian  Rhinoceros,  is  said 
by  a  late  authority— Mr.  C.  E.  M.  Russell— to  stand  about  the  same  height  at  the  shoulder  as 
the  Indian  species.  It  is  found  in  the  Sunderbunds  of  Eastern  Bengal,  and  has  been  met  with 
in  the  Sikhim  Terai  and  in  Assam,  ranging  eastwards  through  Burma  and  the  Malay  Peninsula 
to  Sumatra,  Java,  and  Borneo. 


Photo  ly  J.  W.  McLMa.nl 


GREAT   INDIAN   RHINOCEROS. 

The  largest  land  mammal  of  the  East  after  the  elephant. 

183 


[Jfig/tburi/. 


184 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


But  little  appears  to  be  known  of  the  habits  of  this  species  of  rhinoceros.  Although  it  is 
found  in  the  swampy  grass-covered  plains  of  the  Sunderbunds,  its  more  usual  habitat  seems 
to  be  hilly  forest-covered  country,  and  both  in  Burma  and  Java  it  ascends  to  a  height  of 
several  thousand  feet  above  sea-level.  It  feeds  principally  upon  leaves  and  the  young  shoots 
of  trees  and  bushes.  In  disposition  it  is  timid  and  inoffensive.  Only  the  male  carries  a  horn, 
which,  being  very  short,  is  a  very  poor  trophy  for  a  sportsman. 

The  third  Asiatic  species  of  rhinoceros,  known  as  the  SUMATRAN,  is  the  smallest  of  all 
living  rhinoceroses.  This  species  carries  two  horns,  and  its  skin,  which  is  very  rough,  is  usually 
thinly  covered  with  hair  of  a  dark  brown  colour  and  of  considerable  length.  The  folds  in  the 
skin  of  the  Sumatran  rhinoceros  are  not  nearly  so  well  developed  as  in  its  single-horned 
relatives,  and  the  one  behind  the  shoulders  is  alone  continued  over  the  back.  Although 
furnished- with  tusks  in  the  lower  jaw,  the  small  pair  of  incisor  teeth,  which  in  the  other 
two  Asiatic  rhinoceroses  are  always  present  in  front  of  these  tusks,  are  wanting  in  the 
Sumatran  species. 

The  Sumatran  rhinoceros  is  rare  in  Assam,  but  is  found  in  Burma  and  the  Malay 
Peninsula,  as  well  as  in  Siam,  Sumatra,  and  Borneo.  The  two  horns  of  this  species  are  placed 

at  some  distance  apart.  Although 
they  are  as  a  rule  very  short,  the 
front  horn  occasionally  grows  to  a 
considerable  length,  sweeping  back- 
wards in  a  graceful  curve. 

In  height  adult  males  of  the 
Sumatran  species  stand  on  the  average 
from  4  feet  to  4|  feet  at  the  shoulder, 
and  females  sometimes  not  more  than 
3  feet  8  inches. 

Like  the  Javan  rhinoceros,  the 
Sumatran  species  is  by  preference 
an  inhabitant  of  hilly,  forest>covered 
country,  and  browses  on  the  leaves 
and  shoots  of  trees  and  bushes.  It 
is  a  timid  and  inoffensive  animal, 
soon  becoming  tame  in  captivity.  Its 
flesh  is  said  to  be  much  appreciated 
by  the  Dyaks  of  Borneo;  and  as  its 

horns  are  of  value  for  export  to  China,  where  they  are  used  for  medicinal  purposes,  it  has 
of  late  years  very  much  decreased  in  numbers  in  the  province  of  Sarawak,  but  is  more 
plentiful  in  Central  and  North  Borneo.  Living  as  it  does  in  dense  jungle,  it  is  an  animal 
which  is  seldom  seen  by  European  sportsmen,  and  its  habits  in  a  wild  state  have  never  been 
yet  very  closely  studied. 

Turning  to  the  two  species  of  rhinoceros  which  inhabit  the  continent  of  Africa,  both  are 
double-horned,  and  neither  furnished  with  incisor  teeth,  the  nasal  bones  being  thick,  rounded, 
and  truncated  in  front.  Both,  too,  are  smooth- skinned  and  entirely  hairless,  except  on  the  edge 
of  the  ears  and  extremity  of  the  tail,  which  are  fringed  or  tufted. 

Of  the  two  African  species,  the  WHITE  or  SQUARE-MOUTHED  KHINOCEROS  is  the  larger  and 
the  rarer.  Until  quite  recently  the  range  of  this  huge  ungainly-looking  animal,  the  biggest 
of  all  terrestrial  mammals  after  the  elephant,  was  supposed  to  be  entirely  confined  to  the 
southern  portions  of  the  African  Continent;  for  although  from  time  to  time  horns  had  found 
their  way  to  Zanzibar  which  seemed  referable  to  the  square-mouthed  rhinoceros,  the  fact  of 
the  existence  of  the  white  rhinoceros  in  any  part  of  Africa  north  of  the  Zambesi  remained 
in  doubt  until  a  female  was  shot  in  the  year  1900,  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Lado,  on  the 
Upper  Nile,  by  Captain  A.  St.  II.  Gibbons,  who  brought  its  skin,  skull,  and  horns  to  England. 


Photo  by  York  <!;  Son] 

GREAT   INDIAN  RHINOCEROS. 
This  species  inhabits  the  grass  jungles  of  North-eastern  India. 


[Notting  Hill, 


The    Elephant,    Tapir,    Hyrax,    and    Rhinoceros         185 


PAoto  6y  6'.  5.  Ilausbury,  E#I. 

BLACK  AFRICAN   RHINOCEROSES. 

< 

A  splendid  snapshot  of  two  black  African  rhinoceroses  taken  on  the  open  veldt.     They  were  afterwards  shot  by  the  party. 

The  fact,  however,  that  the  white  rhinoceros  has  never  been  encountered  by  any  other  traveller 
in  Central  Africa  seems  to  show  that  the  animal  is  either  very  rare  in  those  districts,  or  that 
it  has  an  exceedingly  limited  range. 

In  the  early  years  of  the  nineteenth  century  the  square-mouthed  or  white  rhinoceros 
was  found  in  large  numbers  over  the  whole  of  South  Africa  from  the  Orange  River  to  the 
Zambesi,  except  in  the  waterless  portions  of  the  Kalahari  Desert,  or  those  parts  of  the  country 
which  are  covered  with  rugged  stony  hills  or  dense  jungle. 

Speaking  of  his  journey  in  1837  through  the  western  part  of  what    is    now   the   Transvaal 
Colony,  Captain  (afterwards  Sir)  Cornwallis  Harris  wrote  :  "  On  our  way  from  the  waggons  to  a  hill 
not  half  a  mile  distant,  we  counted  no  less  than  twenty-two  of  the  white  species  of  rhinoceros, 
and  were  compelled  in  self-defence  to  slaughter  four.     On  one  occasion  I  was  besieged  in  a  bush 
by  three  at  once,  and  had  no  little  difficulty  in  beating   off  the  assailants."     Even  so  lately  as 
thirty  years  ago  the  white  rhinoceros  was  still  to  be  met  with  in  fair  numbers  in  Ovampoland  and 
other  districts  of  Western  South  Africa,  whilst 
it  was  quite  plentiful  in  all  the  uninhabited 
parts  of  Eastern  South  Africa  from  Zululand 
to  the  Zambesi.      In  1872  and  1873,  whilst 
elephant-hunting  in  the  uninhabited  parts  of 
Matabililand,  I  encountered  white  rhinoceroses 
almost  daily,    and   often    saw  several   in   one 
day.     At  the  present  time,  however,  unless  it 
should  prove  to  be  numerous  in  some  as  yet 
unexplored  districts  of  North  Central  Africa, 
this  strange  and  interesting  animal  must  be 
counted  one  of  the  rarest  of  existing  mammals, 
and  in  Southern  Africa  I  fear  it  must    soon 
become   extinct.      A  few  still  exist  amongst 
the  wild  loquat  groves  of  Northern  Mashona- 
land,  and  there   are  also  a  few  surviving  in 
Zululand;    but   I    fear    that    even    with    the 


Photo  by  C.  S.  Hamburg,  Esq. 

ONE  OF  THE  SAME   RHINOCEROSES  DEAD. 
This  picture  gives  some  idea  of  the  size  of  the  commonest  surviving  species. 


I 


i86 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


Photo  by  J.  W.  McLtllan] 

RHINOCEROS  BATHING. 
All  the  Asiatic  species  of  rhinoceros  are  fond  of  bathing  and  wallowing  in  mud. 


most  rigid  protection  they  are  too 
few  in  number  to  restock  the  country. 
They  have  a  better  chance,  I  think, 
of  increasing  in  numbers  in  Zululand 
than  in  Mashonaland,  in  which  latter 
country  it  is  at  present  impossible 
to  afford  them  any  protection  either 
from  natives  or  Europeans. 

A  full-grown  bull  white  rhinoceros 
stands  from  6  feet  G  inches  to  6  feet 
9  inches  at  the  shoulder,  and  is  very 
massively  built,  with  short,  stout  legs. 
The  head  is  very  much  elongated, 
and  the  mouth  square,  like  that  of 
an  ox.  When  white  rhinoceroses 
were  still  plentiful,  very  considerable 
differences  were  observable  in  the 
length  and  shape  of  their  horns.  The 
anterior  horns  of  full-grown  bulls  might  measure  from  18  inches  to  40  inches  in  length;  those  of 
cows  from  24  inches  to  60  inches.  The  longest  horn  known — that  of  a  cow— which  was  brought 
from  South  Africa  by  the  well-known  hunter  the  late  Koualeyn  Gordon  Gumming,  measures 
62|  inches  over  the  curve.  As  a  rule,  the  front  horn  of  the  white  rhinoceros  curved  slightly 
backwards,  but  was  often  straight  or  bent  slightly  forwards,  and  sometimes  curved  strongly 
backwards.  The  posterior  horn  varied  from  a  few  inches  to  2  feet  in  length. 

The  white  rhinoceros  lived  in  families,  usually  a  bull,  cow,  and  calf  being  found  together ; 
but  there  might  be  two  or  even  three  calves  of  different  ages,  and  of  which  the  youngest 
alone  would  be  suckling,  living  with  the  father  and  mother.  In  the  early  South  African  spring 
(September  and  October),  when  the  young  green  herbage  was  just  sprouting  after  the  first  rains, 
two  or  three  families  of  white  rhinoceroses  might  be  seen  feeding  in  close  proximity,  presenting 
the  appearance  of  a  herd ;  but  I  fancy  the  several  families  of  these  animals  had  only  been 
brought  together  for  the  sake  of  the  young  green  grass.  In  Southern  Africa  the  white 
rhinoceros  lived  entirely  on  grass,  and  I  have  never  seen  any  evidence  of  their  having  eaten 
anything  else.  When  either  walking,  trotting,  or  galloping,  the  white  rhinoceros  always 
carried  its  nose  close  to  the  ground.  A  calf  always  preceded  its  mother,  and  she  appeared  to 
guide  it  by  holding  the  point  of  her  horn  on  the  little  creature's  rump ;  and  in  all  changes  of 
pace,  no  matter  how  sudden,  this  position  was  always  maintained.  The  white  rhinoceros  was 
easily  killed  by  a  shot  through  the  heart  or  through  both  lungs,  but  would  travel  very  long 
distances,  and  probably,  as  a  rule,  ultimately  recover  from  wounds  in  other  parts  of  the  body. 
They  could  travel  at  a  great  rate  and  for  a  considerable  distance  with  a  broken  fore  leg  or 
shoulder,  but  if  a  hind  leg  were  broken  they  were  rendered  almost  immediately  helpless.  In 
disposition  they  were  sluggish  and  inoffensive  animals,  lying  asleep  in  the  shade  of  trees  or 
bushes  during  the  heat  of  the  day,  and  coming  to  the  water  to  drink  at  night  or  often  before 
sundown  in  parts  of  the  country  where  they  had  not  been  much  molested.  When  disturbed, 
white  rhinoceroses  would  go  off  at  a  swift  trot,  but  if  chased  on  horseback  would  break  into  a 
gallop,  which  they  were  capable  of  maintaining  for  a  considerable  distance,  and  at  a  wonderful 
pace  for  so  large  and  heavy  an  animal.  The  meat  of  the  white  rhinoceros  was  most  excellent,  the 
part  in  greatest  favour  amongst  hunters  being  the  hump  on  the  back  of  the  neck  in  front  of 
the  shoulder,  which  was  cut  off  whole  and  roasted  in  the  skin  in  a  hole  dug  in  the  ground. 

The  colour  of  the  so-called  white  rhinoceros  is  dark  grey.  The  second  species  of  African 
rhinoceros,  which  is  also  dark  grey  in  colour,  is  known  as  the  BLACK  or  PREHENSILE-LIPPED 
EHINOCEROS. 

Less  than  a  hundred  years  ago  the  range   of  this  fast-disappearing    species   extended  from 


The    Elephant,    Tapir,    Hyrax,    and    Rhinoceros         187 


the  north-western  districts  of  the  Cape  Colony  to  Abyssinia,  and  at  that  time  it  must  have 
been  plentiful  over  almost  the  whole  of  the  intervening  country.  It  never  seems  to  have 
penetrated  into  the  equatorial  forest  regions  of  West  Central  Africa,  where  the  climate  is 
probably  too  damp  to  suit  its  requirements ;  for  both  species  of  African  rhinoceros  appear  to 
like  a  dry  climate,  and  not  to  object  to  very  arid  surroundings.  At  the  same  time  they  never 
wander  many  miles  from  a  river  or  pool,  and  drink  regularly  every  night,  and  in  hot  weather 
probably  very  often  a  second  time  in  the  early  morning. 

In  Southern  Africa  the  black  rhinoceros  appears  to  attain  to  a  larger  size  than  in  the 
countries  farther  north  To  the  south  of  the  Zambesi  large  bulls  of  this  species  will  stand 
5  feet  8  inches  at  the  shoulder ;  whilst  the  height  of  an  adult  bull,  as  taken  by  Mr.  F. 
Jackson  at  Naivasha,  in  East  Africa,  was  5  feet  5  inches  ;  and  Mr.  A.  H.  Neumann  gives  the 
standing  height  of  another  adult  bull  shot  by  himself  still  farther  north,  near  Lake  Kudolph, 
as  only  4  feet  9  inches. 

It  is  now  gener- 
ally recognised  that 
there  is  but  one  species 
of  prehensile-lipped 
rhinoceros  in  Africa, 
though  the  horns,  and 
especially  the  hinder 
one,  differ  in  length 
and  shape  to  such  an 
extent  that  it  was  long 
thought  that  there 
were  at  least  two 
distinct  species,  those 
with  both  horns  of 
equal  or  nearly  equal 
length  having  been 
distinguished  from  the 
more  common  form, 
with  a  comparatively 
short  second  horn,  as 
the  KEITLOA,  this 
being  the  name  in 
the  Sechuana  dialect 
for  a  prehensile-lipped 

rhinoceros  with  horns  of  equal  length.  Speaking  on  this  subject,  Mr.  A.  H.  Neumann,  who 
has  had  great  experience  with  the  black  rhinoceros  in  East  Africa,  writes  :  "  Length  of  horn 
is  a  purely  fortuitous  individual  trait ;  and  the  extremely  long  horns  (mostly  of  females)  which 
have  occasionally  been  obtained  from  traders  on  the  east  coast,  and  brought  home,  are  merely 
exceptionally  fine  specimens,  selected  from  among  large  numbers  brought  to  the  coast  (the  bulk 
of  which,  I  am  told,  go  to  China  to  be  ground  up  into  medicine),  and  do  not  belong  to  any 
distinct  species,  nor  come  from  any  particular  region.  In  proof  of  this  contention  I  may 
mention  that  I  have  a  40-inch  horn,  the  owner  of  which  I  myself  shot  at  the  northern  base 
of  the  Jambeni  Range  (near  Kenia),  in  a  neighbourhood  where  I  hunted  a  great  deal  and  saw 
great  numbers  of  rhinos,  and  shot  a  good  many.  The  vast  majority  have  quite  short  horns — 
under  a  foot — and  anything  over  18  inches  is  uncommon,  while  a  length  of  30  inches  or 
upwards  is  extremely  rare."  The  black  rhinoceros,  I  believe,  never  eats  grass,  but  browses  on 
the  young  shoots  of  trees  and  bushes,  which  are  often  quite  leafless  and  seem  excessively 
dry.  In  this  way  it  chews  up  and  swallows  great  quantities  of  dry-looking  twigs,  much  of 
which  passes  through  its  stomach  undigested. 


Photo  by  Korman  B.  Smith,  Esq. 

BLACK  AFRICAN   RHINOCEROS. 
This  photograph,  taken  by  a  sportsman  in  Africa,  shows  a  charging  rhinoceros  just  before  it  was  shot. 


188 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


There  has  been  a  good  deal  of 
controversy  as  to  the  character  and 
disposition  of  the  black  rhinoceros,  some 
hunters  and  travellers  regarding  it  as 
most  dangerous  and  aggressive,  whilst 
others  are  inclined  to  take  an  almost 
opposite  view.  That  some  black 
rhinoceroses  are  certainly  aggressive  and 
therefore  dangerous  animals,  the  experi- 
ences of  C.  J.  Anderson  and  W.  Cotton 
Oswell  in  South  Africa  many  years  ago? 
and  of  many  travellers  and  hunters  in 
East  Africa  during  the  last  few  years, 
certainly  prove  beyond  a  doubt;  and  as 
one  never  knows  that  any  particular 
rhinoceros,  when  encountered,  may  not 
prove  to  be  a  vicious  brute,  a  certain 
amount  of  caution  should  be  employed 
in  approaching  one  of  these  animals. 
In  my  own  experience  1  always  found 
that  black  rhinoceroses  ran  off  at  once 
on  getting  the  wind  of  a  human  being ; 
whilst,  on  the  other  hand,  if  they  only 
heard  one  approaching,  they  would  come 
towards  the  noise,  and  I  have  often 
known  them  to  trot  up  to  within 
twenty  yards  of  where  I  was  standing, 

snorting  and  puffing  loudly ;  but  as  these  animals  always  turned  round  and  went  off  eventually 
without  charging,  I  came  to  the  conclusion  that  they  were  inquisitive  and  very  short-sighted 
rather  than  vicious.  When  fired  into,  a  black  rhinoceros  goes  off  at  a  gallop — his  usual  pace, 
when  alarmed,  being  a  very  fast  trot — puffing  and  snorting  loudly.  He  can  gallop  at  a  very 
great  pace,  considering  his  size  and  weight;  but  a  South  African  shooting-pony  can  easily  come 
up  with  him,  or  get  away  from  him  if  pursued.  In  death  a  black  rhinoceros  will  often  sink 
down  on  its  knees,  and  remain  in  that  position,  looking  as  if  it  were  simply  resting.  When 
dying,  it  often  gives  vent  to  a  pitiful  squeal,  the  sound  seeming  very  small  and  thin  for  so  large 
a  beast.  The  meat  of  the  black  rhinoceros  is  not  ill-flavoured,  and,  if  fat,  very  palatable ;  but 
as  a  rule  these  animals  are  very  lean,  and  their  flesh  tough  and  coarse.  The  tongue,  however, 
if  well  cooked,  is  always  good;  and  the  liver,  if  first  roasted  under  the  ashes,  and  then,  after 
being  beaten  up  in  a  native  wooden  mortar,  cooked  with  rice  and  fat,  makes  a  dish  which 
is  good  enough  for  a  hungry  man. 

During  the  making  of  the  Uganda  Eailway  the  engineers  came  upon  something  like  a 
preserve  of  this  species  of  rhinoceros,  especially  in  the  thick  and  waterless  thorn  jungle  near 
the  coast.  The  rhinoceros  was  almost  the  only  animal,  except  the  lion,  which  was  able  to 
penetrate  the  bush.  As  many  as  five  of  these  animals  were  seen  in  one  day  when  the  line 
was  being  made ;  they  did  no  injury  to  the  coolies,  other  than  by  frightening  them,  and 
appeared  to  be  stupid  and  by  no  means  vigilant  animals,  perhaps  because  no  other  creature 
attacked  them.  The  lion  never  meddles  with  a  grown-up  rhinoceros,  though  it  might  and 
probably  does  kill  a  calf  occasionally,  when  the  latter  is  no  larger  than  a  full-grown  pig. 
The  horns  of  some  of  these  East  African  black  rhinoceroses  were  of  unusual  length  and  thinness. 


Photo  by  York  £  Son]  [Netting  Hill. 

ST7MATRAX  RHINOCEROS. 

This  species  of  rhinoceros  is  the  smallest  of  the  three  Oriental  forms.     It  has 
two  horns. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

THE    HORSE     TRIBE. 


ZEBRAS   AND  WILD  ASSES. 

BY   P.    C.   SELOUS. 


ZEBRAS. 

r  I  ^HE    ZEBRAS    have    many    points    in    common    with    the   asses,    from    which    latter    group 
JL      of  animals  they  are  principally  distinguished    by  their   beautifully  striped    skins.      Both 

asses  and  zebras  carry  short, 
erect  manes,  and  in  both  the  upper 
portion  of  the  tail  is  free  from  long 
hair.  In  both  groups  there  are 
naked  callosities  on  the  fore  legs 
only,  whilst  the  head  is  larger  in 
proportion  to  the  size  of  the  animal, 
and  the  ears  longer  than  in  the  horse. 
In  BURCHELL'S  and  GREVY'S  ZEBRAS 
the  hoof  is  intermediate  between 
that  of  the  horse  and  the  ass ;  for 
although  narrower  than  the  hoof  of 
the  horse,  it  is  broader  and  more 
rounded  than  that  of  the  ass.  In 
the  TRUE  ZEBRA,  however,  the  hoof  is 
thoroughly  asinine  in  character,  and 
the  ears  very  long. 

The  TRUE  or  MOUNTAIN  ZEBRA 
appears  never  to  have  had  a  very 
extended  range.  It  was  once  an 
inhabitant  of  all  the  mountainous 
regions  of  the  Cape  Colony  as  well 
as  of  the  great  Drakensberg  Eange, 
and  fifty  years  ago  was  also  found 
amongst  the  rugged  hills  of  Great 
Namaqualand.  The  mountain-zebra 
is  the  smallest  of  the  group,  standing 
only  from  12  to  12|  hands  at  the 
shoulder.  It  is  a  most  beautiful 
animal,  the  whole  of  the  head,  body,  «?*»•*- 

and  limbs,  with  the  exception  of  the        HHHHHiBfc- 
under-parts   and   the  insides   of  the  fhoto  by  G'  w'  Wilaon  £  Co"  Ltd^ 

fh'     V,        Vi    •  f    •       rl  TV,  rl  MOUNTAIN-ZEBRA. 

tmgnS,    Deing    Striped.          ine    ground-  Tbe  trae  or  mountain  zebra  is  now  becoming  scarcer  than  formerly.     At  one  time  it 

Colour  of  the  body  is  White,  the  Stripes  was  to  be  seen  in  great  numbers  on  the  mountains  of  Cape  Colony. 

189 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


Photo  by  W.  P.  Dando] 


{Regent's  Park. 


GREVY S   ZEBRA. 


This  species  of  zebra  comes  from  the  Galla  country,  and  lias  narrower  and  more  numerous  stripes 
than  the  mountain-zebra. 


being  black  and  the  muzzle 
bright  brown.  Both  hind  and 
fore  legs  are  banded  down  to 
the  hoofs.  The  stripes  on  the 
neck  and  body  are  narrower 
and  more  numerous  than  in 
Burchell's  zebra,  and  on  the 
hindquarters  the  median 
stripe,  which  runs  down  the 
centre  of  the  back  from  the 
mane  to  the  tail,  is  connected 
with  the  uppermost  of  the 
oblique  longitudinal  stripes  by 
a  series  of  short  horizontal 
bars.  The  ears  in  this  species 
are  much  larger  than  in 
Burchell's  zebra. 

The  true  zebra  seems 
never  to  have  been  an  in- 
habitant of  the  plains,  like 
all  its  congeners,  but  to  have 
confined  its  range  entirely  to 

mountainous  districts.  Speaking  on  this  point,  Captain  (afterwards  Sir)  Cornwallis  Harris  wrote 
upwards  of  sixty  years  ago:  "This  beautiful  and  wary  animal  never  of  its  own  free  will 
descends  into  the  plain,  as  erroneously  asserted  by  all  naturalists,  and  it  therefore  never  herds 
with  either  of  its  congeners,  the  quagga  and  Burchell's  zebra,  whose  habitat  is  equally  limited  to 
the  open  and  level  lowlands.  Seeking  the  wildest  and  most  sequestered  spots,  the  haughty  troops 
are  exceedingly  difficult  of  approach,  as  well  on  account  of  their  watchful  habits  and  extreme 
agility  and  fleetness  of  foot,  as  from  the  abrupt  and  inaccessible  nature  of  their  highland  abode." 

An  allied  species,  of  which  examples  have  been  obtained  by  Mr.  G.  W.  Penrice,  occurs  in 
Benguela,  Portuguese  West  Africa. 

I  once  saw  the  carcase  of  a  zebra  stallion  which  had  been  sent  by  rail  to  the  Cape  Town 
Museum  by  a  farmer  living  in  the  neighbourhood  of  the  village  of  Worcester.  This  animal 
had  come  down  from  the  mountains,  and  joined  a  troop  of  donkeys  running  on  the  farm.  Its 
intrusion  was,  however,  resented  by  a  male  donkey,  which  fought  with  and  overpowered  it,  and, 
having  seized  it  with  its  teeth  by  the  back  of  the  neck,  held  it  fast  until  it  was  secured  by 
the  farmer  and  his  men.  The  captured  animal,  however,  refused  food,  and  soon  died,  when  its 
carcase  was  sent  to  the  Cape  Museum  for  preservation. 

GREVY'S  ZEBRA  is  the  largest  and  perhaps  the  handsomest  of  all  the  zebras.  This  fine 
animal  is  an  inhabitant  of  Eastern  Africa,  its  range  extending  from  the  central  portion  of 
Somaliland  southwards  to  the  Tana  Eiver.  It  appears  to  be  plentiful  in  the  country  between 
Mount  Kenia  and  Lake  Rudolph,  but  has  not,  I  believe,  been  met  with  to  the  west  of  that 
lake.  Full-grown  specimens  of  Grevy's  zebra  will  stand  from  14£  to  15  hands  at  the  shoulder^ 
with  a  girth  of  body  immediately  behind  the  shoulders  of  nearly  5  feet.  The  arrangement  of 
the  stripes  in  this  species  differs  considerably  both  from  that  of  the  mountain-zebra  of  the  Cape 
Colony  and  also  from  Burchell's  zebra.  The  body-stripes  are  very  narrow,  numerous,  and  deep 
black  in  colour,  and  are  separated  by  equally  narrow  white  bands.  The  longitudinal  stripes 
on  the  haunches  are  also  shorter  and  finer  than  in  any  other  species  of  zebra,  and  on  the  top  of 
the  quarters  there  is  a  white  unstriped  space  on  each  side  of  the  median  line  which  runs  down 
the  centre  of  the  back  from  the  neck  to  the  tail.  The  belly  and  insides  of  the  thighs  are 
white,  and  the  legs  banded  right  down  to  the  hoofs  as  in  the  mountain-zebra,  and  the  ears 
are  as  large  as  in  that  species. 


Photo  by  Percy  Ashenden. 


BURCHELL'S  ZEBRA  AT  HOME. 

This  excellent  photograph  was  taken  in  South  Africa,  and  shows  these  animals  in  their  native  state 

191 


The    Living    Animals    of    the   World 


Grevy's  zebra  is,  as  a  rule,  an  inhabitant  of  open  or  thinly  wooded  country,  and  it 
appears  to  avoid  anything  in  the  nature  of  thick  cover.  In  Central  Somaliland  Major  Swayne 
met  with  it  on  low  plateaux  some  2,500  feet  above  sea-level,  the  sides  of  which  fell  in  broken 
ravines  to  the  river- valleys.  This  country  is  described  as  broken  and  hilly,  and  here  Grevy's 
zebras  were  met  with  in  small  droves  of  about  half  a  dozen.  In  the  country  between  Mount 
Kenia  and  Lake  Eudolph,  Mr.  A.  H.  Neumann  frequently  met  with  herds  of  Grevy's  and 
Burchell's  zebras  consorting  together.  The  contrast  between  the  two  species  when  thus  seen 
side  by  side  was  very  marked,  the  former  animals  looking  like  horses  among  a  flock  of  ponies. 
Mr.  Neumann  never  observed  stallions  of  the  two  species  fighting  together,  but  on  the  other 
hand  he  states  that  the  stallions  of  the  larger  species  fight  viciously  amongst  themselves 
for  possession  of  the  mares.  Grevy's  zebras  seem  never  to  collect  in  large  herds,  more  than 
twenty,  or  at  the  outside  thirty,  being  very  seldom  seen  together. 

Although  this  species  is  an  inhabitant  of  arid  plains  and  bare  stony  hills  where  the  herbage 

is  short,  it  requires 
to  drink  daily,  and 
is  never  therefore 
found  at  any  great 
distance  from  water. 
The  cry  of 
Grevy's  zebra  is 
stated  to  be  quite 
different  from  that 
of  Burchell's.  Mr. 
Neumann  describes 
it  as  a  very  hoarse 
kind  of  grunt,  varied 
by  something 
approaching  to  a 
whistle,  the  grunts 
being  long  drawn 
out,  and  divided  by 
the  shrill  whistling 
sound,  as  if  the  latter 
were  made  by  draw- 
ing in  the  breath 
which  had  been  ex- 
pelled during  the 
sustained  grunt. 

Like    all    other 

species  of  the  genus  to  which  they  belong,  Grevy's  zebras,  especially  the  mares  when  in  foal, 
become  very  fat  at  certain  seasons  of  the  year,  and  their  flesh  is  much  appreciated  both  by 
natives  and  lions,  the  latter  preying  on  them  and  their  smaller  congeners,  Burchell's  zebras, 
in  preference  to  any  other  animal,  now  that  the  rinderpest  has  almost  exterminated  the  great 
herds  of  buffalo  which  once  roamed  in  countless  numbers  all  over  East  Central  Africa. 

BURCHELL'S  ZEBRA  once  inhabited  the  whole  of  South-western,  South-eastern,  Central,  and 
Eastern  Africa  from  the  Orange  Eiver  to  Lake  Eudolph ;  and  though  it  has  long  ceased  to 
exist  in  the  more  southerly  portions  of  its  range,  it  is  still  the  most  numerous  and  the  best 
known  of  all  the  species  of  zebra. 

The  typical  form  of  this  species  was  first  met  with  early  last  century  by  Dr.  Burchell  in 
Southern  Bechuanaland.  In  this  form  the  legs  are  white  below  the  knees  and  hocks,  and  the 
body-stripes  do  not  join  the  median  stripe  of  the  belly.  In  examples  met  with  farther  north 
the  legs  are  striped  down  to  the  hoofs  and  the  body-stripes  join  the  belly-stripe.  South  of 


Photo  by  J.  T.  Newman']  [Berkliamsted. 

THE   HON.   WALTER  ROTHSCHILD'S   TEAM   OF  ZEBRAS. 

Mr.  Rothschild  was  practically  the  first  Englishman  to  break  in  zebras  to  harness.    At  one  time  these  animals 

were  thought  to  be  quite  untamable. 


s  e 


- 

o     c« 
CO    **-' 


The    Horse    Tribe 


193 


the  Zambesi  all  forms  of  Burchell's  zebra  seem  to  have  faint  markings,  known  as  shadow- 
stripes,  on  the  pale  yellow  ground-colour  of  the  spaces  between  the  broad  black  stripes. 
North  of  the  Zambesi  varieties  are  met  with  in  which  these  shadow-stripes  are  wanting.  As, 
however,  the  differences  between  all  the  various  sub-species  of  BurchelL's  zebra  are  superficial 
and  not  structural,  and  as,  moreover,  the  habits  of  these  animals  seem  to  be  the  same  in  every 
part  of  their  widely  extended  range,  I  shall  henceforth  speak  of  them  as  one  species. 

Burchell's  zebra  is  without  the  small  horizontal  bars  on  the  hindquarters,  which  in  the 
mountain-zebra  connect  the  dorsal  stripe  with  the  uppermost  of  the  broad  longitudinal  bands 
running  across  the  flanks.  Its  ears,  too,  are  smaller  than  in  the  latter  species,  and  its  mane 
fuller.  In  size  Burchell's  zebra  is  intermediate  between  the  mountain-zebra  and  Grevy's 
zebra,  standing  from  thirteen  to  thirteen  and  a  half  ha.nds  at  the  shoulder. 


By  permission  of  Mr.  William  Cross]  [Liverpool. 

BURCHELL'S  ZEBRA,  CHAPMAN'S  VARIETY. 

This  zebra  is  one  of  several  trained  in  Mr.  Cross's  well-known  establishment  at  Liverpool.     Mr.  Cross  has  been  very  successful  in  breaking 
in  zebras,  and  is  frequently  to  be  seen  driving  a  pair  about  Liverpool. 


Where  they  have  not  been  shot  down,  Burchell's  zebras  often  live  in  large  herds  of  from 
fifty  to  over  a  hundred  together.  I  have  met  with  them  almost  at  the  level  of  the  sea,  as  in 
the  Pungwe  district  of  South-east  Africa,  and  all  over  the  high  plateaux  of  the  interior  up  to 
a  height  of  5,000  feet  above  sea-level.  They  are  partial  to  sparsely  forested  country  intersected 
by  open  glades,  but  also  frequent  open  plains  entirely  devoid  of  trees  or  bush,  having  been 
once  numerous  on  the  open  downs  of  the  "Western  Transvaal  and  Orange  Eiver  Colony.  They 
never  live  in  dense  jungle,  but  I  have  met  with  them  frequently  amongst  broken  rugged  hills. 
Burchell's  zebras  are  both  fleet  and  enduring,  but  I  have  often  galloped  right  amongst  a  herd 
of  them  when  mounted  on  a  fast  horse,  and  in  good  ground.  In  broken,  hilly,  and  stony 
ground,  however,  no  horse  can  live  with  a  Burchell's  zebra.  The  hoofs  of  this  species  seem 
made  for  running  in  rocky  ground,  being  deeply  hollowed  and  as  hard  as  iron. 

I  have  always  found  the  presence  of  Burchell's  zebras  a  sure  indication  that  water  was  not 

25 


194 


The    Living   Animals    of    the    World 


Photo  by  York  d:  Son]  [3 

MARE   AND   FOAL   OF   BURCHELL'S   ZEBRA. 
These  animals  breed  regularly  in  captivity. 


far  distant,  and  it   is  my  experience 

that   these  animals  require   to  drink 

daily,  and  never  wander   more   than 

a   few  miles  away  from   the   pool  or 

river  they  frequent. 

This  species  of  zebra  may  often 

be     seen     in     Southern     Africa     in 

company   with    other   animals,    such 

as  buffaloes,  blue  wildebeests,  elands, 

gemsbucks,   roan   and    sassaby   ante- 
lopes, and  ostriches,  and  I  have  upon 

several  occasions  seen  them  come  up 

to  domestic  cattle  and  horses.     They 

are  naturally  not  very  wary,  and  in 

parts    of    the    country    where    they 

have   not    been    much   molested    are 

often  very  inquisitive,  and  will  come 

trotting  quite  close  up  to  a  caravan, 

provided  they  do  not  get  the  scent 

of    human    beings.      Foals    of    this 

species  are  easily  caught,  and  become  at  once  very  tame  and  confiding ;    nor  do  I  believe   that 

adult  Burchell's   zebras  are   such  vicious  animals    as    is    generally   supposed,  since  I   have   seen 

several   which   were   very   quiet  and  well   broken,   whilst   even   the  half-broken   animals,    which 

were  at  one  time  used  on  one  of  the  coach-lines  in  the  Transvaal,  did  not  appear  very  vicious. 
As   with   Grevy's   zebra,  the   flesh   of  the  species  under  consideration  is  much  appreciated 

both  by  natives  and  Hons.     I  have  often  seen   the  fat  on  the  quarters  of  the  mares  quite   an 

inch   thick.     It   is   of    a   dark   yellow  colour,  and   too  rich   to  suit  the  stomach  of  a  European. 

The  meat  is  rather  sweet  in  taste,  but  if  fried  with  bacon  not  at  all  unpalatable. 

Professor  Ewart  has  lately  carried  out  a  very 
interesting  series  of  experiments  on  the  hybrid- 
ising of  zebras  and  horses.  The  results  were  very 
satisfactory.  The  zebra  cross  proved  to  be  very 
hardy  creatures,  capable  of  wintering  in  the  open 
on  the  hills  of  Scotland.  The  scientific  data 
obtained  were  of  singular  value,  as  showing  the 
effect  of  crossbreeding  on  subsequent  generations 
of  foals  of  the  same  mother.  It  has  long  been 
believed  that  the  influence  of  the  first  sire  was  seen 
in  foals  of  which  other  animals  were  subsequently 
the  fathers.  Thus,  if  a  white  mare  threw  a  foal 
to  a  black  stallion,  it  was  considered  that  her 
subsequent  progeny  would  occasionally  be  black, 
and  instances  were  freely  quoted  to  support  this 
theory.  The  scientific  name  of  "telegony"  was 
given  to  this  supposed  influence  of  previous  sires 
on  future  offspring.  Professor  Ewart's  experiments, 
in  which  pony  mares  were  first  mated  with  a 
zebra  and  afterwards  with  horses,  show  that  this 
theory  of  telegony  is  erroneous.  The  foals  sired 
afterwards  by  ponies  and  horses  showed  no  trace 
whatever  of  zebra  stripes,  but  were  normal  pony 
foals,  and  not  altered  either  in  shape  or  disposition. 


Photo  by  Karma*  B.  6'/;i<( 

BURCHELL'S  ZEBRA. 

This  species  is  occasionally  domesticated  and  driven  in  South 
Africa,  as  it  is  not  injured  by  the  tsetse  fly. 


The    Horse    Tribe 


195 


The  QUAGGA,  which  became 
extinct  about  thirty  years  ago, 
never  had  a  very  extended  range, 
but  in  the  early  part  of  the 
last  century  it  existed  in  great 
numbers  on  all  the  upland  plains 
of  the  Cape  Colony  to  the  west 
of  the  Kei  Eiver,  and  in  the 
open  treeless  country  lying  be- 
tween the  Orange  and  Vaal 
Rivers.  North  of  the  Vaal  it 
appears  to  have  been  unknown. 

The  quagga  seems  to  have 
been  nearly  allied  to  Burchell's 
zebra — especially  to  the  most 
southerly  form  of  that  species — 
but  was  much  darker  in  general 
colour,  being  of  a  dark  rufous 
brown  on  the  neck  and  upper- 
parts  of  the  body,  becoming 
lighter  on  the  sides,  and  fading 
off  to  white  beneath  and  behind.  Instead  of  being  striped,  too,  over  the  whole  body,  it  was 
only  strongly  banded  on  the  head  and  neck,  the  dark  brown  stripes  becoming  fainter  on  the 
shoulders  and  dying  away  in  spots  and  blotches.  On  the  other  hand,  in  size  and  build,  in 
the  appearance  of  its  mane,  ears,  and  tail,  and  in  general  habits,  it  seems  to  have  nearly 
resembled  its  handsomer  relative.  The  barking  neigh  "  qua-ha-ha,  qua-ha-ha "  seems,  too,  to 
have  been  the  same  in  both  species.  The  word  "  quagga "  is  pronounced  in  South  Africa 
"  qua-ha,"  and  is  of  Hottentot  origin,  being  an  imitation  of  the  animal's  neighing  call.  To-day 
Burchell's  zebras  are  invariably  called  Qua-has  by  both  Boers  and  British  colonists. 


Photo  by  Percy  Ashenden. 

ZEBRAS   ON  TABLE  MOUNTAIN. 
Another  South  African  photograph.     Xoiice  Cape  Town  in  the  far  distance. 


WILD  ASSES. 


[Notting  Hill. 


QUAGGA. 


This  is,  we  believe,  the  only  known  photograph  from  life  of  this  very 
rare  animal.  There  will  probably  never  be  another,  for  the  quagga  is  generally 
supposed  to  be  extinct. 


The  true  asses  are  without  stripes 
on  the  head,  neck,  and  body,  with  the 
exception  of  a  dark  streak  down  the 
back  from  the  mane  to  the  tail,  which 
is  present  in  all  members  of  the  group, 
and  in  some  cases  a  dark  band  across 
the  shoulders  and  irregular  markings 
on  the  legs. 

In  Africa  the  wild  ass  is  only 
found  in  the  desert  regions  of  the 
north-eastern  portion  of  that  continent, 
being  an  inhabitant  of  Abyssinia, 
Somaliland,  Gallaland,  the  Soudan,  and 
the  arid  districts  bordering  the  Red 
Sea.  The  form  of  wild  ass  found  in 
Somaliland  differs  in  some  respects  from 
its  near  relative  of  the  Nubian  Desert, 
in  that  it  is  of  a  paler  colour,  has  the 
dorsal  stripe  but  faintly  marked,  and  is 
without  a  cross- stripe  over  the  shoulders. 


196 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


whilst  on  the  other  hand  it  has  numerous  markings  both  on  the  front  and  hind  legs.  Naturalists 
are,  however,  agreed  that,  although  there  may  be  certain  small  differences  in  the  colour  and 
markings  of  the  wild  asses  found  in  different  localities  of  Northern  Africa,  such  variations  are 
of  no  specific  value,  and  only  one  species  is  recognised. 

The  AFRICAN  WILD  Ass  is  a  fine  animal,  standing  between  13  and  14  hands  at  the  shoulder. 
It  lives  in  small  herds  or  families  of  four  or  five  individuals,  and  is  not  found  in  mountainous 
districts,  but  frequents  low  stony  hills  and  arid  desert-wastes.  It  is  as  a  general  rule  an 
alert  animal  and  difficult  to  approach,  and  so  fleet  and  enduring  that,  excepting  in  the  case 
of  foals  and  mares  heavy  in  young,  it  cannot  be  overtaken  even  by  a  well-mounted  horseman. 
Notwithstanding  the  scanty  nature  of  the  herbage  in  the  districts  they  frequent,  these  desert- 
bred  asses  are  always  in  good  condition.  They  travel  long  distances  to  water  at  night,  but 
appear  to  require  to  drink  regularly.  Their  flesh  is  eaten  by  the  natives  of  the  Soudan.  The 
bray  of  the  African  wild  ass  is  said  to  be  indistinguishable  from  that  of  the  domesticated 
animal,  which  latter  is  undoubtedly  descended  from  the  wild  African  breed. 

In  Asia  three  varieties  of  the  wild  ass  are  found,  which  were  formerly  believed  to 
represent  three  distinct  species ;  but  since  the  points  of  difference  between  these  varying  forms 
do  not  appear  to  be  of  specific  -value,  all  the  local  races  of  the  Asiatic  wild  ass  are  now 
considered  to  belong  to  one  species. 

These  wild  asses  have  a  wide  range,  and  are  met  with  in  the  deserts  of  Asia  from 
Syria  to  Persia  and  Western  India,  and  northwards  throughout  the  more  arid  portions  of 
Central  Asia. 

In  Tibet  and  Mongolia  the  wild  ass  inhabits  the  high  mountain-plateaux,  and  lives  at 
elevations  of  14,000  feet  and  upwards  above  the  sea.  This  local  race,  known  as  the  KIANG, 
approaches  in  size  to  the  African  wild  ass,  standing  13  hands  at  the  shoulder.  It  is  dark 
reddish  brown  in  colour,  with  a  very  narrow  dorsal  stripe.  The  ONAGER  of  Western  India 
and  Baluchistan  is  a  smaller  and  lighter-coloured  animal,  with  a  broader  stripe  down  the 
back.  In  parts  of  its  range  it  is  found  at  sea-level.  In  Persia  and  Syria  a  third  local  race 
of  wild  ass  is  found,  which,  however,  differs  from  the  two  forms  already  enumerated  in  no 
essential  particular. 

Like  their  African  congeners,  the  wild  asses  of  Asia  are  inhabitants  of  the  waste  places 
of  the  earth,  frequenting  desert  plains  and  wind-swept  steppes.  They  are  said  to  be  so  fleet 
and  enduring  that,  except  in  the  case  of  a  mare  heavy  with  foal,  they  cannot  be  overtaken 
by  a  single  horseman. 

The  wild  asses  of  the 
desert  plains  of  India  and 
Persia  are  said  to  be  very  wary 
and  difficult  to  approach,  but 
the  kiang  of  Tibet  is  always 
spoken  of  as  a  much  more 
confiding  animal,  its  curiosity 
being  so  great  that  it  will 
frequently  approach  to  within 
a  short  distance  of  any  un- 
familiar object,  such  as  a 
sportsman  engaged  in  stalking 
other  game. 

Asiatic  wild  asses  usually 
live  in  small  families  of  four 

or  five,  but  sometimes  congre-        

gate   in    herds.      Their   food  Photo  iyj.w.MeLeUa^ 

.    .  f  .  BALUCHI   WILD   ASS. 

consists  ot  various  grasses  in  , .,    ....     .,,  „„     Tt  ,a  f_liru1  .-n  i\>«tpm  India 

This  is  one  of  the  three  leading  varieties  of  the  Asiatic  wild  ass.     It  is  found 

the  low-lying  portions  of  their  and  Baluchistan. 


The    Horse    Tribe 


Photo  by  the  Duchess  of  Bedford]  [  Woburn  Abbey. 

MALE   KIANG. 

The  kiang  comes  from  the  Tibetan  highlands.    It  is  the  largest  and  most  horse-like  of  the  wild  asses  of  Asia. 

range,  but  of  woody  plants  on  the  high  mountain-plateaux,  where  little  else  is  to  be  obtained. 
Of  wild  asses  in  general  the  late  Sir  Samuel  Baker  once  said  :  "  Those  who  have  seen  donkeys 
only  in  their  civilised  state  can  have  no  conception  of  the  wild  or  original  animal ;  it  is  the 
perfection  of  activity  and  courage." 


DOMESTICATED   HORSE,   ASSES,   AND   MULES. 

BY   \V.    P.   PYCRAFT,   A.L.S.,   F.Z.S. 


THE  DOMESTICATED  HORSE. 

LIKE  the  wild  camels,  genuine  wild  horses  are  very  generally  believed  to  be  extinct.  The 
vast  herds  which  occur  to-day  in  a  wild  state  in  Europe,  America,  and  Australia  are  to  be 
regarded,  say  those  who  believe  in  the  extinction  theory,  as  descended  from  domesticated 
animals  which  have  run  wild.  So  far  as  the  American  and"  Australian  horses  are  concerned, 
this  is  no  doubt  true ;  but  of  the  European  stocks  it  is  by  no  means  so  certain.  For 
Dr.  Nehring — and  he  speaks  with  authority — assures  us  that  the  wild  horses  known  as 
TARPANS,  which  occur  on  the  steppes  north  of  the  Sea  of  Azoff,  between  the  river  Dnieper  and 
the  Caspian,  are  veritable  wild  horses,  the  last  remaining  members  of  enormous  herds  which 
occurred  in  Europe  before  the  dawn  of  civilisation.  These  horses  formed  no  small  part  of  the 
food  of  the  savage  races  of  men  then  inhabiting  this  continent.  This  we  know  because  of  the 
quantities  of  their  remains  found  in  the  caves  of  the  south  of  France,  for  instance,  associated 
with  the  remains  of  the  men  who  hunted  them.  Further  evidence  of  this  we  have  in  the 
shape  of  crude  engravings  on  pieces  of  bone  and  deer  horns,  carved  by  the  more  artistic 
spirits  amongst  these  early  hunters.  From  these  drawings  we  gather  that  the  horse  they 
hunted  was  small  in  size  and  heavy  in  build,  with  a  large  head  and  rough,  shaggy  mane  and 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


tail — a  horse,  in  fact,  almost  identical  with  the  above-mentioned  tarpan.  But  long  before 
historic  records  begin  these  horses  must  have  been  domesticated ;  man  discovered  that  they 
could  be  even  more  useful  alive  than  dead,  and  from  that  time  forth  the  horse  became  his 
inseparable  companion.  "Caesar  found  the  Ancient  Britons  and  Germans  using  war-chariots 
drawn  by  horses." 

But  the  stock  of  domestic  horses  drawn  from  this  tarpan  breed  appears  to  have  died 
out  almost  entirely,  the  majority  of  horses  now  existing  being  probably  descendants  of  the 
native  wild  horses  of  Asia,  the  product  of  a  still  earlier  domestication.  In  Egypt  the  horse, 
as  a  domestic  animal,  seems  to  have  been  preceded  by  the  ass;  but  about  1900  B.C.  it 
begins  to  appear  in  the  role  of  a  war-horse,  to  draw  chariots.  Its  use,  indeed,  until  the 
Middle  Ages  was  almost  universally  as  a  war-horse. 

From  the  time  of  its  domestication  till  to-day  the  history  of  the  horse  has  been  one 
of  progress.  The  care  and  forethought  of  the  breeder  have  produced  many  varieties,  resulting 
in  such  extremes  as  the  London  Dray-horse,  the  Eacer,  and  the  Shetland  Pony. 

The  coloration  of  our  various  breeds  of  horses  is  generally  without  any  definite  marking, 
piebald  and  dappled  being  the  nearest  approach  to  a  pattern.  Occasionally,  however,  horses  are 

found  with  a  dark 
stripe  along  the  back, 
and  sometimes  with 
dark  stripes  on  tne 
shoulders  and  legs. 
Darwin,  discovering  a 
number  of  horses  so 
marked  belonging  to 
different  breeds,  came 
to  the  conclusion  that 
probably  all  existing 
races  of  horses  were 
descended  from  a 
"  single  dun- coloured, 
more  or  less  striped 
primitive  stock,  to 
which  [stock]  our 
horses  occasionally 

Note  the  colts  examining  the  photographer's  bag.    They  are  very  inquisitive  creatures,  but  easily  frightened.         revert." 

"  If  we  were  not 

so  habituated  to  the  sight '  of  the  horse,"  says  the  late  Sir  William  Flower,  "  as  hardly  ever 
to  consider  its  structure,  we  should  greatly  marvel  at  being  told  of  a  mammal  so  strangely 
constructed  that  it  had  but  a  single  toe  on  each  extremity,  on  the  end  of  the  nail  of 
which  it  walked  or  galloped.  Such  a  conformation  is  without  parallel  in  the  vertebrate  series." 
By  the  aid  of  fossils  we  can  trace  out  all  the  stages  through  which  this  wonderful  foot  has 
passed  in  arriving  at  its  present  state  of  perfection :  we  can  see  how  it  has  become  more 
and  more  beautifully  adapted  to  fulfil  the  requirement  demanded — a  firm  support  to  enable 
its  owner  to  cover  hard  ground  at  great  speed.  The  study  of  the  structure  of  this  foot,  and  a 
comparison  with  the  intermediate  forms,  make  it  clear  that  this  toe  corresponds  to  the  third 
finger  or  toe  of  the  human  hand  or  foot — according  as  we  compare  the  fore  or  hind  limbs— 
and  that  its  development  was  at  the  expense  of  the  remaining  toes,  which  gradually  dwindled 
and  disappeared,  leaving  in  the  living  one-toed  horse  only  traces  of  the  second  and  fourth  toes 
in  the  shape  of  a  pair  of  splint-bones,  one  on  either  side  of  the  excessively  developed  third  toe. 
The  horses,  it  must  be  remarked,  may  be  distinguished  from  the  asses  by  the  fact  that  the 
tail  in  the  former  is  clothed  with  long  hair  throughout;  in  the  latter  long  hair  springs  only 
from  the  sides  and  end,  forming  a  tuft.  Furthermore,  the  horses  have  a  remarkable  horny 


Photo  by  T.  Fall} 


IJJaker  Street. 


YEARLING  AEAB  COLTS. 


Photo  by  T.  Fait} 


ARAB   MAKE. 


[Baker  Street. 


Xothing  \rould  induce  this  horse  to  stand  still  in  order  to  be  photographed  ;  so  as  a  last  resource  Lady  Anne  Blunt  put  on  her  Arab  costume.     This 

acted  like  magic,  for  under  its  spell  the  animal  at  once  became  quiet. 

199 


2OO 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


Photo  ly  T.  Fall] 


[Baker  Street. 


ARAB   MAKES   AND   FOALS. 
A  pretty  group  of  some  of  Lady  Anne  Blunt's  famous  Aral 


excrescence,  resembling  a  huge  black  and  flattened  wart,  on  each  hind  leg  just  below  the 
"  hock,"  or  heel-joint.  This  excrescence  is  commonly  known  as  the  "  chestnut."  Its  function 
is  unknown.  A  similar  pair  of  "  chestnuts "  occurs  on  the  inner  side  of  the  fore  limb  just 
above  the  wrist,  or  "  knee,"  as  it  is  generally  called.  The  "  chestnuts  "  of  the  fore  limb  occur 
also  in  the  asses,  but  not  those  of  the  hind  limb. 

THE  ARAB  HORSE. 

This  magnificent  and  justly  celebrated  animal  is  chosen  first  for  consideration  because 
it  is  probably  a  direct  descendant  of  an  original  wild  breed— the  Asiatic  wild  horse.  How 
far  back  the  domestication  of  this  breed  began  will  probably  never  be  exactly  known.  Till 
the  third  century  after  Christ  the  Arabs  were  almost  certainly  camel-riders;  but  by  the 
sixth  century  of  our  era  we  find  them  in  possession  of  a  breed  of  horses  which  they  regarded 
with  great  reverence,  and  spoke  of  as  an  heritage  from  their  forefathers.  They  were  probably 
introduced  from  the  Caucasus  or  Asia  Minor.  The  Arab  horse  found  its  way  into  Europe,  perhaps 
accompanied  by  an  allied  breed — the  Barb — with  the  Arab  invasion  of  Spain  in  the  eighth  and 
ninth  centuries,  leaving  traces  of  its  sojourn  in  the  Andalusian  and  the  French  Limousin.  But 
the  great  value  of  Arab  blood  was  not  appreciated  till  armour  ceased  to  be  used,  the  excessive 
weight  of  this  demanding  a  horse  of  heavy  build. 

The  Arab  does  not  appear  to  have  been  introduced  into  England  till  the  seventeenth 
century ;  but  the  result  of  that  introduction,  as  we  shall  see  presently,  has  been  fraught  with 
tremendous  consequences.  In  its  native  land  it  appears  to  have  been  bred  chiefly  for  the 
purposes  of  warfare.  The  success  with  which  the  breeders'  judicious  selection  has  been 
rewarded  is  plainly  seen  in  the  wonderful  powers  of  endurance  on  long  marches;  so  that,  at 
the  end  of  a  raid,  the  animal  is  still  fresh  enough  either  for  flight,  if  necessary,  or  for  a  final 
rush  on  a  retreating  enemy.  Besides,  Arabs  possess  great  courage,  and  are  frugal  both  in  the 
matter  of  food  and  drink. 


The    Horse    Tribe 


201 


[  TTobwrn  Abbey. 


As  a  race-horse,  one  enthusiast 
assures  us,  the  Arab  is  superior  to 
every  other  natural  breed;  he  is 
beaten  only  by  his  own  half-breed 
offspring — the  English  Eace-horse. 
But  this  seems  to  be  rather  an  over- 
estimate. 

The  colour  of  the  Arab  varies ; 
white  is  the  most  highly  esteemed, 
but  bay  and  chestnut  are  common, 
black  being  rare.  Strange  as  it  may 
seem,  the  white  breed  is  never  born 
white. 

The  great  affection  of  the  Arab 
for  his  horse  is  proverbial.  The 
following  story  is  certainly  worth 
repeating:  "The  whole  stock  of  an 
Arab  of  the  desert  consisted  of  a 
mare.  The  French  Consul  offered  to 
purchase  her,  in  order  to  send  her 
to  his  sovereign,  Louis  XIV.  The 
Arab  would  have  rejected  the  pro- 
posal ;  but  being  miserably  poor,  with 
scarcely  a  rag  to  cover  him,  his  wife 
and  children  starving,  he  was  tempted 
greatly.  At  length  he  yielded.  He 
brought  the  mare  to  the  consul's 


Photo  l>ij  the  Duchess  of  Bedford] 

PEBCHEEON  HOESE. 
A  Continental  breed.     This  horse  is  believed  to  be  the  only  one  of  its  kind  in  England.         hoUS6,  and  Stood   leaning   On    her   neck 

and  looking,  now  at  the  gold,  and  now 
at  the  horse.  The  gold  was  good  to 
look  upon  ;  it  would  make  him  rich 
for  life.  Turning  at  last  to  his 
favourite,  he  said :  '  To  whom  is  it 
I  am  going  to  yield  thee  up  ?  To 
Europeans,  who  will  tie  thee  close, 
who  will  beat  thee,  who  will  make 
thee  miserable.  Keturn  with  me,  my 
beauty,  my  jewel,  and  rejoice  the 
hearts  of  my  children.'  At  the  last 
of  these  words  he  sprang  upon  her 
back,  and  was  in  a  few  moments  out 
of  sight." 

THE  BARB. 

This  is  an  African  breed,  which, 
like  the  generality  of  African  horses, 
is  distinguished  from  those  of  Asia 
by  its  long  limbs  'and  small  girth 
at  the  loins,  thus  resembling  the 
foals  of  other  breeds.  It  displays 
great  powers  of  enduring  hunger  and 


Photo  by  T.  Fall} 


HACKNEY  AND   FOAL. 
A  specimen  of  the  English  carriage -horse. 


26 


202 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


thirst ;  and  is  fleet,  with  a  high 
and  graceful  action.  The  barb  takes 
its  name  from  its  native  land — 
Barbary.  It 
the  Arab. 


is    a   larger    breed    than 


the 


Photo  ly  C.  Reid] 


A  perfect  English  thoroughbred. 


[  Wishaw,  N.B. 


LADAS. 


With  this  racer  Lord   Rosebery  won  the  Derby 
in  1894. 


LEVANT  AND  PERSIAN  HOUSES. 

These  are  very  closely  allied  to 
Arab,  but  generally  of  larger 
size ;  and  in  Southern  Persia,  at  least, 
less  delicately  framed.  The  Turkoman 
horses  are  related  to  those  of  Northern 
Persia. 

THE  ENGLISH  EACE-IIOJISE. 
This  animal  is  the  product  of 
very  careful  selection  and  gradual 
improvement  of  an  original  native 
breed,  extending  over  several  centuries. 
Long  since,  so  long  ago  as  the  reign 
of  James  I.,  it  had  reached  a  high 
degree  of  excellence. 

Upon  this  native  stock  there  has 
been  built  up,  by  the  infusion  of  Arab  blood,  the  swiftest  horse  which  the  world  has  ever 
known — the  BRITISH  THOROUGHBRED.  "  Of  this  breed,  it  may  be  stated,"  says  Mr.  Allison, 
"that  every  such  animal  in  the  stud-book  of  the  present  day,  in  this  country  or  any  other, 
descends  .  .  .  from  one  of  three  original  Eastern  sires — the  Darley  Arabian,  the  Byerley  Turk, 
or  the  Godolphin  Arabian."  This  is  an  extremely  interesting  fact,  and  constitutes  a  lasting 
monument  to  the  enterprise  and  acumen  of  the  British  horse-breeder. 

The  Byerley  Turk  hailed  from 
the  Levant,  and  was  introduced  by 
Captain  Byerley  about  1689.  From 
the  Byerley  Turk  came  Herod,  the 
most  celebrated  of  his  descendants, 
who  has  given  rise  to  the  Herod  line, 
which  to-day  is  but  feebly  represented. 
The  Godolphin  Arabian,  or  the 
Godolphin  Barb,  was  born  about  1724. 
From  his  grandson  Matchem  is  derived 
the  Matchem  line,  which  is  also  to-day 
bordering  on  extinction. 

The    Darley    Arabian    carries    us 
back   to    the    reign   of  Queen   Anne. 
Flying  Childers  and  Bartlett's  Childers 
are  directly  descended  from  him  ;  and 
from  the  latter  is  descended  Eclipse, 
1  the  fastest   horse   which  the  turf  has 
\  ever  known.     It  is  interesting  to  note 
'•that  the  descendants  in   the   Eclipse 
'line   enormously  outnumber  those    of 

FLORIZEL  ii.  »the  other  two  lines  which  we  have  con- 

of  the  King's  racing-stud.  sidered.     Of  his  descendants,  one  of  the 


The    Horse    Tribe 


203 


most  illustrious  is  Stockwell, 
who  has  been  described  as  the 
most  extraordinary  sire  of  all 
time,  whose  blood  is  coming 
more  than  ever  to  the  front. 

THE  TROTTIXG-HORSE. 

This  is  an  American  breed. 
The  trotting-horse  is  a  com- 
bination of  barb  and  Arab 
on  an  English  stock.  Most 
if  the  trotting-  and  pacing- 
horses  of  America  may  be 
traced  to  an  English  thorough- 
bred— Messenger — who  was 
imported  into  America  in  1780. 
This  horse  became  the  founder 
of  the  greatest  trotting  family 
in  the  world.  The  speed 
attained  by  some  of  the 
fastest  trotters  is  wonderful, 
a  mile  being  covered  in  some 
three  or  four  seconds  over  two 
minutes. 

Eussia  is  the  only  Euro- 
pean country  with  a  distinct 
breed  of  trotter — the  ORLOFF. 
the  native  races.  The  Orloff 
has  not  the  speed  of  the 
American  horse,  but  has 
greater  powers  of  endurance. 
The  trotting-season  in  Russia 
is  winter,  the  races  taking 
place  on  the  ice. 

The  PACER  is  not  a 
distinct  breed,  but  so  called 
on  account  of  its  curious 
method  of  trotting.  In 
trotting  the  left  fore  and 
right  hind  leg  strike  the 
ground  at  the  same  moment ; 
in  pacing  the  fore  and  hind 
leg  of  the  same  side  move  in 
unison.  Some  wild  animals 
—as  the  giraffe — are  pacers. 
"  Many  American  horses,"  says 
Mr.  Winans,  "are  able  to 
move  with  either  action,  a 
set  of  lighter  shoes  often 
sufficing  to  convert  a  trotter 
into  a  pacer."  Pacing  is 
a  swifter  mode  of  motion 


f/tolo  by  T.  J''ali] 


SHETLAND   POXY  AND   FOAL. 


These  ponies  belong  to   Lady  Mary  Hope  and  her   sister,  who  have   been    very  successful   in 

breeding  them. 

This  breed  was  made  by  crossing  Arab  and  English  horses  with 


Photo  bit  T.  t\ 


CHAMPION   SHIRE  STALLION. 
One  of  Sir  Walter  Gilbey's  celebrated  cart-horses. 


Photo  by  T.  Fall} 


SHIRE   MARE   AND   FOAL. 
Another  of  Sir  Walter  Gilbey's  champion  cart-horses  showing  mother  and  young 


Photo  by  T.  Fall} 


[faker  Street. 


WELSH   PONY. 

This  photograph  shows  the  Duchess  of  Newcastle  with  one  of  her  white  Welsh  ponies. 

204 


[Baker  Street. 


The    Horse    Tribe 


205 


[  irishair,  X.B. 


POLO-PONY. 


Various  breeds  of  ponies  are  used  in  this  game,  but  the  most  esteemed  at  the 
present  day  are  the  English-bred  Xew  Forest,  Dartmoor,  or  Exmoor,  or  Welsh 
ponies. 


than  trotting.  The  record  time  stands 
at  one  mile  in  1  minute  39£  seconds,  as 
against  the  trotting  record  of  one  mile 
in  2  minutes  3|  seconds. 

THE  HUNTER. 

This  also  is  not  a  distinct  breed,  as 
some  suppose.  Any  good  riding-horse 
may  be  used  as  a  hunter.  "  Hunters " 
have  been  made  by  infusing  the  blood 
of  the  race-horse  with  native  breeds. 
The  chief  requirements  are  a  muscular 
neck  and  chest,  with  a  rather  short 
body,  and  shorter  and  stouter  legs  than 
the  race-horse. 

From  the  half-bred  hunter  we  pass 
by  insensible  gradation  to  the  ordinary 
saddle-  and  carriage-horses.  The  ideal 
carriage-horse,  however,  is  more  of  a 
distinct  breed  than  the  hunter,  and 
known  as  the  CLEVELAND  BAY.  It  has 
been  produced  by  mingling  the  blood 
of  the  thoroughbred  with  that  of  a 
horse  of  stouter  make  than  that  of  the 
hunter  type. 

The  record  broad  jump  for  the  hunter,  we  might   mention   in    passing,  is   variously  stated 
to  be  from  33  to  37  feet! 

THE  SHETLAND  PONY. 

This  is  a  native  of  the  Shetland 
Islands,  and  remarkable  for  its  small 
size,  docility,  and  hardihood.  It  is 
allowed  to  run  nearly  wild,  and  made  to 
forage  almost  entirely  for  itself.  In  the 
winter  it  grows  a  coat  of  great  length, 
which,  soon  becoming  matted,  forms  a 
most  effective  protection  against  cold  and 
wet.  The  DARTMOOR,  EXMOOR,  and  NEW 
FOREST  are  likewise  small  breeds,  but 
lack  the  symmetry  and  beauty  of  the 
Shetland. 

CART-HORSES. 

Under  this  head  are  included  all 
the  large,  heavily  built  draught-horses. 
These  are  of  European  origin,  and 
without  intermixture  of  foreign — Asiatic 
or  African — blood.  In  England  the  most 
important  breeds  are  the  BLACK  or  SHIRE 

Photo  by  T.  Fall]  [Baker  Street.  HORSE,    the   CLYDESDALE,  and  the    SUFFOLK 

DONKEY.  PUNCH.      These   are   wonderful   instances 

Uhis  is  a  typical  English  coster  s  dockey,  and  won  the  first  prize  at  the  Southwark 

show.  of    the     results     of     selective      breeding 


2O6 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


Photo  by  W.  Reid]  [  Wishaw,  N.S. 

EGYPTIAN  DONKEYS. 

The  ass  has  long  been  known  to  the  Egyptians,  having  been  in  use  by 
them  before  the  introduction  of  the  horse. 


towards  a  definite  end — large  size,  accom- 
panied by  great  physical  strength  and  powers 
of  endurance.  To  accomplish  this,  speed  has 
had  to  be  sacrificed. 

ASSES   AND   MULES. 
ASSES. 

THE  DOMESTIC  Ass,  so  common  to-day 
in  these  islands,  is  of  African  origin,  and 
has,  moreover,  departed  but  little  in  either 
form  or  colour  from  the  wild  race.  This  is 
probably  due  to  the  fact  that  the  ass  has 
not  been  subjected  in  this  country  to  that 
process  of  rigorous  and  careful  selection  that 
the  horse  has  undergone. 

We  have  no  record  of  its  first  intro- 
duction to  these  islands,  but  it  was  certainly 
known  in  the  reign  of  Ethelred,  though  it 
was  a  rare  animal.  Later  it  appears  to 
have  died  out,  and  to  have  been  reintroduced 
in  the  reign  of  Elizabeth ;  but  it  has  never 
become  popular.  This  is  unfortunate;  its 
sterling  qualities  have  never  been  really 
appreciated  by  us.  Spain,  Italy,  and  Malta 
have  all  succeeded  in  raising  some  fine  breeds. 
The  United  States  has,  however,  produced 
the  finest  of  all  in  animals  standing  some 
15  or  16  hands  (5  feet  or  5  feet  4  inches) 
high. 


MULES.  . 

The  term  MULE,  strictly  speaking,  should  be  reserved  for  the  offspring  of  the  male  ass  and 
the  mare  :  the  offspring  of  the  opposite  cross  is  called  the  HINNY.     Mules  are  valued  on  account 
of  their  great  powers  of  endurance  and  their  sure-footedness.      The  finest   and    handsomest    are 
bred    in    Spain,    the   United 
States,  and  North-west  India. 

It  is  interesting  to  note 
that  mules  exhibit  a  strong 
tendency  to  revert  to  the  dun- 
coloured  and  striped  coloration 
believed  to  belong  to  the 
primitive  horses.  The  spinal 
and  shoulder  stripes  which 
sometimes  appear  in  horses, 
and  more  frequently  in  asses, 
occur  yet  more  frequently  in 
mules.  The  legs  of  the  mules 
appear  particularly  liable  to 
revert  to  this  striped  colora- 
tion in  the  United  States,  it 
is  said  nine  out  of  ten  being  MULES. 

SO    marked.  A  couple  of  fine  mules  belonging  to  Lord  Arthur  Cecil. 


photoiyc.Reid] 


CHAPTER   XIII. 


THE  HOLLOW-HORNED  RUMINANTS:    OXEN,   BISON, 
BUFFALOES,  AND  MUSK-OX. 

,  Deer,  Camels,  Pigs,  Horses,  Tapirs,  Khinoceroses,  and  Elephants  differ  greatly  in 
\_J  structure  from  the  orders  already  described.  They  are  classed  as  the  Ungulates,  or 
Hoofed  Mammals.  In  most  of  these,  such  as  the  Horse,  Deer,  and  Oxen,  the  toes  are 
contained  within  a  solid  hoof;  in  others,  such  as  the  Khinoceros,  they  are  protected  by  broad 
nails.  Great  differences  exist  in  the  feet  of  the  various  groups  of  Ungulates,  caused  by  the 
degree  in  which  the  digits,  or  "  toes,"  remain  in  use  or  not.  Except  in  the  Elephant,  where 
there  are  five,  the  greatest  number  of  "working"  digits  found  in  existing  forms  is  four.  In 
the  Horse  and  its  surviving  allies  the  digits  are  reduced  to  one  ;  in  the  Giraffes,  to  two. 

The  general  process,  as  it  can  be  learnt  from  the  remains  of  the  horse-like  animals  of  the 
past,  seems  to  have  been  as  follows.  One  or  more  of  the  toes  were  developed  in  length  and 
strength  at  the  expense  of  the  others,  until,  in  the  case"  of  the  Horse,  only  one  toe  remained, 
which  was  enclosed  in  a  large  and  solid  hoof,  little  splints  on  either  side  of  the  cannon-bone 
being  left  to  hint  where  the  second  and  fourth  toes  had  once  been.  In  the  Oxen  and  Deer  the 
third  and  fourth  toes  developed  equally,  at  the  expense  of  the  others,  and  each  gained  a  case 
or  covering,  which  makes  the  two  parts  of  the  "cloven  hoof"  of  these  groups. 

The  first  group  of  the  order  of  Ungulates  is  represented  by  the  Hollow-horned  Kuminants. 
These  have  horns  set  on  a  core  of  bone,  the  horns  themselves  being  hollow  throughout.  They 
"chew  the  cud,"  after  receiving  the  food  eaten  into  the  first  of  four  divisions  in  the  stomach, 
whence  it  is  brought  up  into  the  mouth,  and  then  swallowed  again  for  digestion.  The  Oxen, 
Sheep,  and  Goats  have  no  popular  name  by  which  they  are  collectively  distinguished,  but  their 
characteristics  are  sufficiently 
well  known.  The  horns  are 
never  shed  annually,  as  is  the 
case  with  the  Deer ;  and  the 
hoofs  are  cloven.  They  have 
no  incisor  teeth  in  the  upper 
jaw,  a  characteristic  also  shared 
by  the  Giraffes,  the  Prongbuck 
(or  American  antelope),  and  the 
Deer.  The  lower  jaw  has  its 
full  complement  of  incisor  teeth. 

The  Oxen  and  the  allied 
Bison,  Yak,  and  Buffaloes  are 
the  bulkiest  and  most  impor- 
tant to  man  of  all  ruminants. 
Some  are  found  in  nearly  all 
inhabited  parts  of  the  Old 
World,  and  there  is  one  North 
American  species,  now  practi-  ^^  PARK.CATTLE> 

Cally    exterminated     as     a    Wl  Id         Tt.g  photograph  represents  two  animals  of  different  types.     The  bull  (on  the  right)  is  from  Earl 
animal  Ferrers'  herd  at  Chartley  Castle  ;  the  cow  is  a  cross-bred. 

207 


20b 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


Photo  by  JJ".  P.  UciMlol  [Regent's  Park. 

ENGLISH   PARK  BULL. 
The  similarity  in  shape  to  the  best-bred  modern  shorthorns  is  obvious. 


BRITISH   PARK-CATTLE,   AND 
THE   AUROCHS. 

THE  so-called  "WiLD  CATTLE"  found  in 
the  parks  of  Chillingham  and  Chartley,  as 
well  as  in  Lord  Leigh's  park  at  Lyme,  and 
in  that  of  the  Duke  of  Hamilton  at  Cadzow 
Castle,  Scotland,  are  probably  not  the 
descendants  of  an  indigenous  wild  race.  It 
is  not  without  reluctance  that  the  belief  in 
their  wild  descent  has  been  abandoned.  .But 
the  evidence  seems  fairly  conclusive  as  to 
the  antiquity  of  these  white  cattle,  regarded 
as  a  primitive  breed,  and  of  the  unlikelihood 
of  their  being  survivors  of  a  truly  wild  stock. 
They  are  almost  identical  in  many  points 
with  the  best  breeds  of  modern  cattle,  and 
probably  represent  the  finest  type  possessed 
by  the  ancient  inhabitants  of  these  islands. 
But  they  are  far  smaller  than  the  original 
WILD  Ox,  or  AUROCHS,  the  ancestor  of  our 
domestic  breeds.  The  skulls  of  these  large 

wild  oxen,    which    still    survived  in  the   Black   Forest  in    Caesar's    time,    have  been   dug   up    in 

many  parts  of   England,    especially  in  the   Thames    Valley,  and    may    be    seen  at   the   Natural 

History    Museum.      The  remains  of  the    extinct  wild  ox,  the    Bos  urus    of   the   Romans,    show 

that,  if  not    so   large  as  an  elephant,  as  Caesar   heard,    its    size    was  gigantic,   reckoned  by  any 

modern   cattle    standard   whatever.     It   probably  stood    6    feet    high  at   the   shoulder,  and  there 

is    every  reason  to  believe   that   it   was   the  progenitor  of  the  modern  race  of  domestic  cattle 

in    Europe.      It    seems   certain   that   the   Chartley  Park  herd  did   once   run   wild   in   Needwood 

Forest  ;  but  so  do  the  Italian   buffaloes  in  the  Maremma,  and  the  Spanish  bulls  on  the  plains 

of  Andalusia.     Those  at  Chartley  have  been  kept  in  the  park,  which  is  very  wild  and  remote,  so 

long   that   they  have   gradually   lost 

many  of  the  attributes  of  domestica- 

tion.    This  is  even  more  marked  in 

the  case  of  Lord  Tankerville's  white 

cattle  at  Chillingham.     An  observant 

visitor  to    Chillingham    lately    noted 

that  the  bulls  fight  for  the  possession 

of  the  cows,  and  that  one  is  occasion- 

ally killed   in   these   combats.      The 

cows    still    "  stampede  "   with    their. 

calves  when  alarmed,  and  hide  them 

for  a  week  or  ten  days  after  they  are 

born.     The  horns  of  the  Chillingham 

cattle  turn  up;  those  of  the  bulls  of 

the   Chartley    herd    are    straight  or 

slightly  inclined   downwards.     Cross- 

breds  between  the  Chartley  cattle  and 

some  other  herds  of  reputed  ancient 

descent  may  generally  be  seen  at  the 

Zoological    Gardens.        They    remain 

remarkably   true    tO    type. 


Photo  iy  w.  p. 


[Regent's 


CALF  OP  ENGLISH  PARK-CATTLE. 

Though  the  stock  is  very  old  and  inbred,  the  white  park-cattle  are  still  fairly  prolific. 


The    Hollow'horned    Ruminants 


209 


Photo  l>y  J.  T.  Newman] 


[Berkhamsted. 


JERSEY  COW. 


The  property  of  Lord  Braybrooke.    Though  small  in  size,  the  Jersey  cows  produce  more  butter  than 

any  English  breed. 


Formerly  there  were 
several  other  herds  of  ancient 
white  cattle.  One  was  at 
Gisburne,  in  Yorkshire; 
another  at  Chatelherault  Park, 
in  Lanarkshire ;  and  records 
of  herds  at  Bishop  Auckland 
in  Durham,  Barnard  Castle, 
Blair  Athol,  Burton  Constable, 
Naworth  Castle,  and  other 
ancient  parks  are  preserved. 
Probably  all  were  of  a  breed 
highly  prized  in  ancient  days, 
which  was  allowed  the  run  of 
the  forests  adjacent  to  the 
homes  of  their  owners  ;  then, 
as  the  forests  were  cleared, 
they  were  gradually  taken  up 
and  enclosed  in  parks.  Another 
theory  is,  that  they  were  the 
white  cattle  of  North-western 
Italy,  imported  by  the  first  settlements  of  Italian  monks  after  the  conversion  of  the  Saxons. 

SOME   DOMESTICATED   CATTLE. 

THE  various  species  of  European  domestic  cattle  have  in  most  cases  been  brought  to  a 
degree  of  excellence  even  higher  than  that  which  might  be  expected  from  the  long  period  of 
time  in  which  their  improvement  has  been  an  object  of  solicitude  to  man.  Of  the  foreign 
races,  the  dark  red  cattle  of  the  Spanish  Peninsula — animals  which  have  been  exported  to  the 
Canary  Islands  and  Madeira  with  great  success— are  justly  famous.  The  white  oxen  of  North- 
east Italy  have  been  famous  since  the  days  of  the  Romans.  The  tall  long-horned  cattle  of 
Hungary  are  excellent  alike  as  beasts  of  draught  and  for  beef.  The  black-and-white  Dutch  cows 
are,  and  have  been,  the  mainstay  of  the  dairy  industry  of  Holland,  and  later  of  Denmark; 
while  the  small  Brittany  cows  are  perhaps  the  best  butter-producers  on  the  continent  of 
Europe.  But  England  and  the  Channel  Islands  may  justly  claim  to  rear  the  finest  cattle  of  the 
temperate  parts  of  the  world.  The  diminutive 
Jersey  cows,  now  reared  in  all  parts  of  the 
kingdom,  surpass  all  the  animals  of  Europe 
or  America  in  the  richness  of  their  milk, 
while  stock  from  the  pedigree  herds  of 
various  English  breeds  is  eagerly  sought  by 
foreign  and  continental  buyers  on  both  sides 
of  the  Atlantic,  and  in  New  Zealand  and 
Australia.  These  foreign  strains  need  constant 
replenishing  from  the  English  herds,  and  the 
result  is  a  golden  harvest  to  the  breeders  in 
these  islands. 

The  SHORTHORN  was  the  first  breed  to  be 
brought  to  perfection.  Two  main  stocks — 
one  for  producing  beef,  the  other  for  the 
dairy— are  recognised;  they  are  the  "all-  ^oto^w.p.v^  vvKt.fa*. 

SPANISH  CATTLE 

round  breed"  most  in  favour,  and  it  is  said      These belong to Uie long.;or Jd race of Southe;n and Eastern  Eur0pe.   m 

that    the    improvement    in    this    race    alone  has  the  bulls  the  horns  are  shorter,  and  of  ten  turn  downwards. 

27 


210 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


raised  the  value  of  average  Irish  store  cattle  £2  per  head  during  the  last  twenty  years.  The 
shorthorns  are  level-backed,  large  animals,  maturing  very  quickly.  The  commonest  colours 
are  roan,  white,  red,  and  red-and-white.  HEREFORD  CATTLE  are  red,  with  white  faces  and  long, 
upturned  horns ;  they  fatten  quickly  on  good  grass,  and  are  in  most  demand  for  summer 
beef.  HIGHLAND  CATTLE  have  long  horns,  rough,  shaggy  coats,  and  bodies  of  moderate  size 
and  great  symmetry ;  they  are  grazed  on  the  mountains  of  the  West  Highlands  mainly,  and 
fattened  in  the  south.  The  beef  is  of  the  finest  quality.  SUSSEX  CATTLE  are  an  "  all  red " 
variety,  large,  and  formerly  much  used  for  draught  and  farm  work.  The  DEVONS  are  another 
red  variety,  very  like  the  Sussex,  yielding  excellent  and  rich  milk,  and,  when  fattened,  being 
little  inferior  to  any  breed  as  beef.  The  long-horned  black  WELSH  CATTLE  grow  to  a  great 
size,  as  do  the  polled  ANGUS  breed  of  Scotland.  The  polled  or  hornless  cattle  include  the 
red  SUFFOLKS,  a  most  valuable  breed,  hardy,  and  wonderful  producers  of  milk.  The  cows 
often  give  milk  every  day  of  the  year.  The  LONGHORN  breed  is  almost  disappearing,  as  the 

horns  are  a  disadvan- 
tage both  in  the  fields 
and  when  the  animals 
are  carried  on  board 
ship  or  in  the  train. 
The  HUMPED  CATTLE  of 
India  and  East  Africa 
belong  to  a  race 
different  from  European 
cattle,  of  which  the 
parent  stock  is  not 
known.  They  have  a 
hump  upon  the  withers, 
drooping  ears  (a  sign 
of  ancient  domestica- 
tion), and  a  very  large 
dewlap.  The  coat  is 
always  exquisitely  fine. 
They  are  of  all  sizes, 
from  the  tall  Brahminee 
bull  to  dwarf  breeds 
not  larger  than  a  New- 
foundland dog.  The 

commonest  colours  are  cream,  grey,  mouse-colour,  and  white.  They  do  not  low,  but  grunt, 
and  are  by  no  means  so  fond  of  shade  and  water  as  European  cattle. 

WILD  OXEN. 

THIS  group  consists  of  the  GAUR  of  India;  the  GAYAL  of  Assam,  which  is  possibly  a 
domesticated  form  of  the  gaur,  but  rather  smaller  in  size,  with  skull  and  horns  different  in 
character;  and  the  BANTING,  a  lighter  and  more  slender  wild  ox,  of  which  different  varieties 
are  found  in  Burma,  in  Java  (where  it  is  kept  in  a  half-domesticated  condition),  and  in 
Manipur. 

THE  GAUR. 

The  GAUR,  the  so-called  INDIAN  BISON,  is  probably  the  largest  of  all  the  wild  bovine 
animals.  It  is  found  at  the  foot  of  the  North-eastern  Himalaya,  in  the  Central  Provinces 
of  India,  the  forests  of  Madras  and  Mysore,  and  in  parts  of  Burma  and  the  Malay  Peninsula, 
but  not  in  Ceylon.  Its  range  eastward  is  not  accurately  known.  In  habits  the  gaur  is 
mainly  a  forest  animal,  retiring  always  at  daybreak  into  the  depths  of  the  jungle.  It 
sometimes  attains  a  height  of  over  6  feet  at  the  shoulder,  and  a  length  of  9  feet  6  inches 


[Aberdeen. 


YOUNG   GATJB. 
The  largest  and  handsomest  of  the  wild  oxen. 


The    Hollow-horned    Ruminants 


211 


I'hutu  by  York  d>  Sun]  [Netting  JIM. 

COW   GAYAL. 

This  animal  is  not  at  all  dissimilar  to  the  gaur.     Its  chief  points  of  differ- 
ence are  in  the  horns  and  :n  the  colour  of  its  skin. 


from  the  nose  to  the  tail.  The  colour  of 
the  full-grown  gaur  is  dark  brown,  turning 
to  black ;  the  legs  from  above  the  knees 
and  hocks  to  the  hoofs  are  white,  the 
hair  being  short  and  fine.  Its  horns  are 
upturned,  and  tipped  with  black,  with  white 
hair  covering  the  junction  on  the  top  of 
the  skull.  The  cows  are  much  smaller  than 
the  bulls,  standing  about  5  feet  high  at  the 
shoulder.  This  species  feeds  both  on  grass 
and  on  the  young  shoots  of  trees  and  of 
bamboos.  The  calves  are  dropped  in  August 
and  September.  The  pure-bred  animal  does 
not  appear  capable  of  domestication. 

Hunting  gaur  by  tracking  in  the  jungle 
has  long  been  a  favourite  sport  of  Anglo- 
Indians.  General  Douglas  Hamilton  says : 
"I  have  killed  bulls  measuring  6  feet  at 
the  shoulder,  and  the  average  height  of  the 
male  is  from  5  feet  8  inches  to  5  feet  10 
inches.  An  old  bull  gaur  is  a  magnificent 
animal.  The  normal  colour  is  a  brownish  black,  sometimes  in  very  old  specimens  almost 
quite  black.  The  white  stockings  reach  from  the  hoof  to  above  the  knee,  and  are  very 
conspicuous.  When  on  the  Anamalies,  I  had  a  grand  fight  with  a  big  bull.  I  was  out  early, 
and  came  on  the  spoor  of  bison,  and  soon  saw  two,  one  a  very  large  bull.  To  my  disgust  he 
lay  down,  and  was  completely  covered  by  creepers  and  bushes.  After  a  bit  I  attempted  to 
move  to  get  a  better  view ;  but  there  to  my  left  was  a  cow  bison  staring  at  me.  She  at  once 
gave  the  alarm,  and  I  waited  for  the  large  bull  to  rise.  This  he  did  so  quickly,  and  disappeared 
so  suddenly,  that  I  only  got  a  snapshot.  As  I  stopped  to  load,  I  saw  a  young  calf  squatting 
at  the  foot  of  a  tree  like  a  hare,  intently  watching  me.  I  put  the  rifle  down,  crept  up 
behind  the  tree,  and  suddenly  threw  myself  on  the  little  calf,  and  managed  to  get  hold  of  its 
hind  legs,  but  it  got  from  under  me.  I  managed,  however,  to  tie  its  fore  legs  securely  by 
means  of  some  slender  stems  from  the  creepers.  All  this  time  it  continued  to  bellow  and  to 
make  a  great  row,  and  I  fully  expected  to  see  the  mother  come  charging  down.  I  went  back 
to  the  bungalow,  and  got  some  men  to  bring  my  little  captive  home.  After  breakfast  I  started 
again,  and  got  on  the  track  of  the  bison.  ...  I  saw  some  branches  move,  and  on  looking 
carefully  perceived  a  large  bull  bison ;  but  he  was  among  the  thick  bushes,  and  I  could  not 
see  his  outline.  I  guessed  as  nearly  as  possible  the  position  of  the  shoulder,  and  fired  the 
big  rifle  at  him.  He  g  ave  a  bound  forward,  and  then  stopped  long  enough  for  me  to  give  him 
a  shot  with  the  other  barrel.  .  .  .  The  next  moment  I  saw  the  bull  standing  on  the  high 
ground  above  us.  I  fired  again,  and  hit  him  well  behind  the  shoulder.  He  dashed  off,  but 
only  went  fifty  yards,  and  then  stopped.  I  walked  up,  thinking  to  finish  him,  when  he  made 
a  fearful  rush  at  me.  My  man  put  the  double  rifle  into  my  hands  and  then  bolted,  and  I 
thought  it  prudent  to  retire  and  await  my  opportunity.  But  he  only  moved  a  few  paces 
forward,  and  then  stopped.  Then  began  a  regular  siege  of  his  position."  The  result  of  the 
siege  was  that  the  bison  received  four  more  bullets,  charged  and  routed  the  hunter  twice, 
and  then  walked  off.  It  was  shot  twice  more,  charged  again,  and  was  finally  killed  by 
General  Hamilton  with  his  hunting-knife  tied  to  a  bamboo  spear-pole. 

Considering  the  size  and  tenacity  of  life  of  the  gaur,  it  is  rather  wonderful  that  more 
accidents  do  not  occur  in  the  pursuit  of  this  animal ;  but  as  it  lives  mainly  in  thick  jungle, 
where  large  trees  grow,  the  sportsman  has  more  chance  of  getting  out  of  sight  of  a  wounded 
animal  than  when  attacked  by  the  Indian  buffalo,  which  generally  haunts  jungles  of  high  grass. 


212 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


I 


Cy  ptnnusion  oj  Herr  Carl  Hagenbeck\ 

INDIAN   HUMPED   BULL. 

The  hump  and  dewlap  mark  the  Oriental  cattle.     The  ears  are  often  more  drooping 
than  in  this  specimen. 


THE  GAYAL. 

The  doubt  whether  this  animal 
is  found  in  a  wild  state  has  recently 
been  considerably  increased.  It  is 
well  known  in  a  semi-domesticated 
condition,  in  which  it  is  kept  by 
the  tribes  in  and  around  the  Assam 
Valley,  where  the  wild  gaur  is  also 
found.  These  herds  roam  during  the 
day  freely  in  the  jungle,  and  return 
to  be  fed  at  the  villages.  It  has 
been  stated  that  wild  gayal  are 
enticed  to  join  the  tame  herds  by 
feeding  them  with  balls  of  meal 
and  salt ;  but  these  "  wild "  speci- 
mens may  be  only  those  which  have 
belonged  to  or  have  descended  from 
the  domesticated  herd.  Gayal  have 
been  kept  in  England  not  only  in 
the  Zoological  Gardens  but  in  some 
parks,  and  crossed  with  English  cattle. 
The  offspring  furnished  excellent  beef,  but  were  rather  wild  and  intractable.  The  horns  of  the 
gayal  are  thicker  and  flatter  than  those  of  the  gaur,  and  placed  lower  on  the  skull  and  farther 
apart.  The  domesticated  gaval  stands  lower  than  the  gaur,  but  is  a  very  massive  animal. 

THE  BANTING. 

The  common  wild  ox  of  the  Malay  countries  of  Borneo,  Java,  Eastern  Burma,  and 
northwards,  in  Manipur  resembles  the  European  oxen  rather  more  than  does  the  gaur.  In  size 
the  bulls  sometimes  reach  5  feet  9£  inches.  The  old  bulls  are  black,  the  younger  bulls 
chocolate-red,  and  the  cows  a  bright  reddish  brown.  The  rump  is  marked  with  a  large  white 
patch,  and  all  have  white  stockings  from  above  the  knees  and  hocks  down  to  the  hoofs.  The 
tail  is  considerably  longer  than  in  the  gaur,  coming  well  below  the  hocks.  As  might  be 
expected  from  its  distribution,  the  size  of  this  animal  and  the  shape  of  the  horns  vary 
considerably  in  the  different  districts  which  it  inhabits.  In  Borneo  the  horns  often  curve 
forwards ;  in  Java  they  spread  outwards.  In  the  latter  island  large  herds  of  this  species  are 
kept  in  a  state  of  domestication.  When  wild,  banting  live  in  small  herds,  and  in  Burma 
feed  from  early  morning  until  ten  o'clock,  when  they  retire  into  the  jungle  for  shelter.  The 
Manipur  race  is  smaller  than  that  of  Burma  (of  which  the  males  are  not  black),  and  the  bulls 
have  not  the  white  rump. 

THE  YAK. 

THE  YAK  is  naturally  an  inhabitant  of  the  very  high  plateaux  and  mountains  of  Tibet, 
where  the  climate  is  cold  and  the  air  excessively  dry.  Lower  down  on  the  Indian  side  of  the 
Himalaya  a  smaller  race  is  found  domesticated,  which  is  the  only  one  able  to  stand  the 
climate  of  India,  or  of  Europe,  where  it  is  now  kept  in  some  parks  as  a  curiosity.  -  The  tamed 
yaks  are  usually  much  smaller  than  the  wild;  these  sometimes  reach  a  weight  of  between 
1,100  and  1,200  Ibs.  In  form  they  are  long  and  low,  very  massive,  and  with  hair  almost 
entirely  black ;  this  falls  off  along  the  sides  into  a  long  sweeping  fringe.  The  tail  is  thickly 
tasselled  with  fine  hair,  and  is  employed  by  Indian  princes  for  fly-flaps.  The  wild  yak  has 
large,  massive  black  horns,  curved  upwards  and  forwards  in  the  male.  In  Ladak  and  Chinese 
Tibet  the  yaks  inhabit  a  desolate  and  barren  country,  in  which  their  main  food  is  a  dry, 


The    Hollow'horned    Ruminants 


213 


coarse  grass,  on  which  they  nevertheless    contrive  to    keep   themselves   in   condition,  feeding   in 
the  mornings  and  evenings,  and  lying  down  by  day  to  rest  among  the  rocks. 

THE  BISON. 

THE  BISON  form  a  marked  group,  differing  from  others  of  the  Ox  Tribe.  They  possess 
fourteen  pairs  of  ribs,  while  the  oxen  have  only  thirteen  (the  yak  has  fourteen) ;  and  have  very 
heavy,  massive  heads,  broader  and  more  convex  foreheads  than  the  oxen,  longer  spinal  processes 
on  the  vertebrae  of  the  front  part  of  the  back,  and  larger  muscles  to  hold  the  ponderous  head, 
causing  a  hump,  which  in  the  American  bison  is  very  marked.  There  are  two  living  species 
of  bison,  one  of  which  is  found  in  Europe,  the  other  in  North  America. 

THE  EUROPEAN  BISON. 

This  is  the  most  interesting  survival  of  the  primitive  fauna  of  the  Old  World.  It  is  still 
found  wild,  though  protected,  in  a  large  forest  in  Lithuania,  the  property  of  the  Czar  of  Eussia, 
called  the  Forest  of  Bielowitza.  A  few  are  also  left  of  the  purely  wild  stock  in  the  Caucasus. 
Those  in  Lithuania  have  been  protected  for  several  centuries,  and  the  herd  is  numbered  from 
time  to  time.  In  1857  there  were  1,898  of  these  bison  left;  in  1882  there  were  only  600; 
in  1889  the  herd  had  sunk  to  380,  but  in  1892  it  had  risen  to  491.  The  presence  of 
the  bison  in  the  Caucasus  had  been  almost  forgotten  till  Mr.  Littledale  and  Prince  Demidoff 
gave  accounts  of  hunting  it  there  quite  recently.  The  ZUBR,  as  it  is  called,  only  survives 
in  some  very  inaccessible  parts  of  the  mountains,  preserved  by  the  Grand  Duke  Sergius 
Michaelovitch,  in  the  Kouban  district.  There  it  exists  as  a  really  wild  animal.  The  dimensions 
of  one  recently  shot  were  10  feet  from  the  muzzle  to  the  end  of  the  last  vertebra  of  the 
tail.  The  Grand  Duke  has  to  obtain  special  permission  from  the  Czar  to  shoot  one  whenever 
he  goes  to  the  Caucasus. 

This  bison  seems  to  have  been  an  inhabitant  of  most  of  the  forests  of  Europe  and 
Northern  Asia ;  its  remains  show  that  it  existed  in  Britain,  and  it  was  plentiful  in  the  Black 
Forest  in  the  time  of  Csesar.  It  is  the  largest  of  all  European  quadrupeds,  measuring  as 
much  as  10  feet  1  inch  from  the  nose  to  the  root  of  the  tail,  and  standing  nearly  6  feet 
high  at  the  shoulder.  Prince  Demidoff  states  his  belief  that  it  is  found  on  the  southern 
slopes  of  the  Caucasus  Range  between  the  hills  and  the  Black  Sea.  The  weight  of  this  bison 
reaches  1,700  Ibs.  It  is  now 
rare  to  see  more  than  five 
or  six  together.  Though  the 
animal  is  so  massive,  its  horns 
are  rather  small  and  slender, 
and  curve  upwards.  The 
mane — which,  like  the  rest  of 
the  coat,  is  of  a  uniform  rich 
brown — is  thick  and  curly,  but 
not  developed  like  that  of  the 
American  bison. 

THE  AMERICAN  BISON. 

The  American  bison  is 
the  western  representative  of 
the  bison  of  Europe.  The 
almost  complete  disappear- 
ance of  this  species  is  one  of 

the  warnings   against  reckless  p/i0to  iy  w.  P.  Dando}  [Regent's  Park. 

destruction  of  animal  life.     It  INDIAN  HUMPED  CATTLE. 

formerly  found  in  millions  These  are  often  called  Zebu  in  Europe,  but  the  origin  of  the  name  is  unknown. 


214 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


udoJ  [/<• :"  *t*  J'" I*. 

DOMESTICATED   YAK. 
The  wild  Iwvine  animal  of  the  Central  Asian  plateau,  tamed  and  domesticated. 


on  the  prairies,  and  its  meat  formed 
the  staple  food  of  the  Red  Indians, 
who  lived  on  the  flesh  and  used  the 
"robes"  of  those  killed  in  winter 
for  great  coats  and  bedding.  When 
Audubon  went  up  the  Upper  Missouri, 
bison  were  in  sight  almost  through- 
out the  voyage ;  they  were  even 
carried  down  on  ice-flows  on  the  river. 
The  bulls  were  very  large,  and  were 
occasionally  savage,  especially  when 
attacked  and  wounded ;  but  usually 
they  were  harmless  animals.  Every 
winter  and  spring  they  made  migra- 
tions along  regular  routes  to  fresh 
pastures.  These  lines  of  travel  were 
then  black  with  bison.  The  females 
had  their  calves  by  their  sides,  and 
all  travelled  in  herds,  feeding  as 

'  O 

they  went.  At  the  present  time  the 
only  remains  of  the  bison  are  the 
paths  they  left  on  the  prairies,  and 
their  bones  and  skulls.  The  paths 
are  still  distinctly  seen,  worn  by  the 
"  treks "  of  the  great  beasts  which 
have  now  perished.  The  bones  were  collected  in  stacks  and  sold  to  make  manure. 

Colonel  Roosevelt,  in  an  article  contributed  to  "  The  Encyclopaedia  of  Sport,"  thus  describes 
the  destruction  of  the  bison  :  "  Pursuit  by  sportsmen  had  nothing  to  do  with  the  extermination 
of  the  bison.  It  was  killed  by  the  hide-hunters,  redskin,  white,  and  half-breed.  The  railways, 
as  they  were  built,  hastened  its  destruction,  for  they  gave  means  of  transporting  the  heavy 
robes  to  market.  But  it  would  have  been  killed  out  anyhow,  even  were  there  no  railroads  in 
existence.  Once  the  demand  for  the  robes  became  known  to  the  Indians,  they  were  certain  to 
exterminate  it.  Originally  the  bison  ranged  from  the  Rocky  Mountains  to  the  Alleghanies,  and 
from  Mexico  to  the  Peace  River.  But  its  centre  of  abundance  was  the  vast  extent  of  grass-land 
stretching  from  the  Saskatchewan  to  the  Rio  Grande.  All  the  earlier  explorers  who  crossed 
these  great  plains,  from  Lewis  and  Clarke  onwards,  spoke  of  the  astonishing  multitudes  of  the 
bison,  which  formed  the  sole  food  of  the  Horse  Indians.  The  herds  were  pressed  steadily  back, 
but  the  slaughter  did  not  begin  till  after  the  Civil  War;  then  the  commercial  value  of  the 
robes  became  fully  recognised,  and  the  transcontinental  railways  rendered  the  herds  more 
accessible.  The  slaughter  was  almost  incredible,  for  the  bison  were  slain  literally  by  millions 
every  year.  They  were  first  exterminated  in  Canada  and  the  southern  plains.  It  was  not  till 
1883  that  the  last  herd  was  killed  off  from  the  great  north-western  prairies." 

The  height  of  a  fine  bull  American  bison  at  the  shoulder  is  6  feet.  The  horns  are 
short,  blunt,  and  curved,  and  set  farther  back  on  the  forehead  than  in  the  European  species. 
The  hindquarters  are  low  and  weak,  and  the  mane  develops  in  winter  into  a  thick  robe, 
covering  the  neck,  shoulders,  and  chest.  An  adult  bull  bison  was  found  to  weigh  1,727  Ibs. 
The  woodland-bison  of  Athabasca,  now  nearly  exterminated,  are  larger  than  the  prairie-bison, 
and  have  finer  coats.  In  1897  there  were  said  to  be  between  280  and  300  head  remaining 
in  two  herds. 

THE  BUFFALOES. 

THE  BUFFALOES  are  so  far  distinct  from  other  wild  cattle  that  they  will  not  interbreed 
with  them ;  yet  one  species,  the  INDIAN  BUFFALO,  has  been  domesticated  for  a  long,  though 


By  permission  of  the  Sew  York  Zoological  Society. 


AMERICAN   BULL   BISON. 


The  American  bison  (locally  called  "  buffalo")  is  lower  behind  than  its  European  brother ;  but  the  withers,  as  will  be  seen  from  the  photograph,  are 

stronger  and  more  massive,  and  its  mane  considerably  longer. 

215 


2l6 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


Photo  by  the  Duchess  of  Bedfo 


EUROPEAN   BISON. 


unknown  period,  and  is 
among  the  most  valuable  of 
tame  beasts  of  draught,  as 
well  as  for  dairy  purposes. 
The  various  buffaloes  usually 
have  little  hair,  especially 
when  old,  and  have  flatter 
shoulders  than  the  gaur, 
gayal,  or  bison.  The  pairs 
of  ribs  number  thirteen. 

THE  AFRICAN  BUFFALO. 

Great  differences  in  size 
and  colour  exist  in  the 
AFRICAN  BUFFALOES.  Whether 
they  are  separate  species  or 
not  may  be  doubtful;  but 
the  small  yellow  CONGO 
BUFFALO,  with  upturned  short 

These   wild  animals  of  the  Caucasus  are  very  ranch  scarcer  than  formerly,  and  are  in  danger          DOmS,     IS     a     Vastly     different 

of  becoming  extinct.  creature  from  the  large  black 

CAPE  BUFFALO.  There  is  also  an  Abyssinian  or  brown  race  of  African  buffalo,  and  another  in 
Senegambia  smaller  than  the  former,  and  a  reputed  grey  race  near  Lake  Tchad.  The  Cape 
buffalo  is  a  heavy,  thickset  animal,  ah1  black  in  colour,  with  large  massive  horns  covering  the 
skull,  and  nearly  meeting  in  the  middle  line  of  the  forehead.  In  height  it  varies  from  4  feet 
10  inches  to  5  feet  at  the  shoulder.  This  species  ranges  from  South  Africa  to  the  Congo  on 
the  west,  and  to  the  region  of  the  Equator  on  the  east  of  the  continent.  Firearms,  and 
lately  rinderpest,  have  greatly  reduced  the  number  of  these  creatures.  They  live  and  feed 
in  herds,  and,  like  the  Indian  species,  are  fond  of  the  neighbourhood  of  water,  in  which  they 
bathe,  but  are  not  so  dependent  on  bathing  and  wallowing  as  the  former. 

Fully  as  formidable  as  the  Indian  buffalo,  and  much  like  it  in  habits,  the  African  species 
is  quite  distinct.  It  has  different  horns,  broad  at  the  base  and  curled  and  tapering  at  the 
ends.  Among  the  extreme  measurements  of  the  Indian  buffalo's  horns  recorded  is  one  of 
12  feet  2  inches  from  tip  to  tip  along  the  curve.  Those  of  the  African  buffalo  are  seldom 
more  than  6  feet,  measured  in  the  same  way.  By  far  the  greatest  number  of  hunting  accidents 
in  Africa  are  caused  by  the  buffalo.  Sir  Samuel  Baker  shot  a  buffalo  bull  one  evening  near 
the  White  Nile.  His  men  actually  danced  upon  the  body,  when  the  animal  rose  to  its  feet, 
and  sent  them  flying  into  the  river  like  so  many  frogs.  It  then  disappeared  in  the  thick 
vegetation.  On  the  following  day,  supposing  that  it  must  have  died  during  the  night,  thirty 
or  forty  men,  armed  with  double-barrelled  guns,  went  to  look  for  it.  The  result  was  thus 
recorded  by  Sir  Samuel  Baker :  "  They  had  not  been  ashore  for  many  minutes  when  I 
first  heard  a  shot  and  then  a  regular  volley.  My  people  returned  with  the  head  of  the 
buffalo  and  a  large  quantity  of  meat,  but  they  also  carried  the  body  of  my  best  man,  who, 
when  leading  the  way  through  the  high  reeds,  following  the  traces  of  blood,  actually  stumbled 
upon  the  buffalo  lying  in  the  swamp,  and  the  light  guns  failed  to  stop  its  charge.  The 
crooked  horn  had  caught  him  behind  the  ear,  and,  penetrating  completely  through  the  neck, 
had  torn  out  the  throat  as  though  it  had  been  cut.  The  savage  beast  had  then  knelt  upon 
the  body,  and  stamped  it  into  the  muddy  ground,  until  it  fell  beneath  the  fire  of  thirty  men." 

The  head  and  body  of  a  male  Cape  buffalo  are  9  feet  long.  It  is  stated  that  the  parasite 
conveyed  by  the  tsetse  fly  remains  in  the  blood  of  the  buffalo  (which  is  not  affected  by  it), 
and  that  this  forms  a  reserve  whence  the  fly,  after  sucking  the  blood  of  the  buffalo,  poisons 
other  animals. 


The    Hollow'horned    Ruminants 


217 


THE  CONGO  BUFFALO. 

This  is  a  very  small  race,  the  height  at  the  shoulder  being  about  3  feet  6  inches.  The 
shape  of  the  horns  varies,  but  they  are  wrinkled  at  the  bases  and  flattened,  and  turn  upwards, 
ending  in  thin,  sharp  tips.  The  hair  is  bright  reddish  yellow.  It  is  entirely  a  West  African 
species.  Sir  Samuel  Baker  records  an  instance  in  which  his  brother  was  nearly  killed  by  a 
small  West  African  buffalo,  probably  one  of  the  species  in  question.  It  is  said  to  be  less 
gregarious  than  the  Cape  buffalo,  and  usually  found  in  pairs. 

THE  INDIAN  OR  WATER-BUFFALO. 

Very  great  interest  attaches  to  this  animal,  if  only  from  the  fact  that  it  is  evidently  a 
species  domesticated  directly  from  the  wild  stock.  It  therefore  deserves  consideration  both  as 
a  wild  and  as  a  domesticated  animal.  It  is  found  wild  in  the  swampy  jungles  at  the  foot  of 
the  Himalaya,  in  the  Ganges  Delta,  and  in  the  jungles  of  the  Central  Provinces;  also,  it  is 
believed,  in  the  jungles  of  West  Assam.  Like  the  African  species,  it  is  an  animal  of  great 
size  and  strength,  with  short  brown  hair,  white  fetlocks,  and  immense  long,  narrow,  flattened 
horns.  It  is  almost  aquatic  by  preference,  passing  many  hours  of  each  day  wallowing  in  the 
water,  or  standing  in  any  deep  pool  with  only  the  tips  of  its  nostrils  and  its  horns  out  of 
the  water.  By  general  consent  it  is  the  most  dangerous  of  Indian  animals  after  the  tiger.  A 
buffalo  bull  when  wounded  will  hunt  for  its  enemy  by  scent  as  persistently  as  a  dog  hunting 
for  a  rabbit.  A  writer  in  County  Life  lately  gave  an  account  of  a  duel  between  himself, 
armed  with  a  small  and  light  rifle,  and  a  buffalo  bull,  in  which  the  latter  hunted  him  for 
more  than  an  hour,  each  time  being  driven  off  by  a  shot  from  the  light  rifle,  and  each  time 
returning  to  the  search,  until  it  was  killed.  Sir  Samuel  Baker,  when  he  first  went  to  Ceylon, 
found  the  buffaloes  practically  in  possession  of  the  meadows  round  a  lake  in  the  neighbourhood 
of  his  quarters,  and  waged  a  war  of  extermination  against  the  bulls,  which  were  very  dangerous. 


Photo  by  the  Duchess  of  Bedford'] 


I  Woburn  Abbey. 


AMERICAN   BISON. 


Notice  the  difference  in  the  fore  and  hind  quarters  of  this  animal  and  the  European  representative  of  the  same  group.    (See  page  216.) 

28 


218 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


The    buffaloes  of   Ceylon 
are     the     same    as    those    of 
India,     but     the     horns     are 
inferior  in  size.     "  The  charge 
of     a     buffalo     is    a     serious 
matter,"      says      Sir     Samuel 
Baker.    "Many  animals  charge 
when  infuriated,  but  they  can 
generally  be  turned  aside   by 
the  stunning  blow  of  a  rifle- 
shot,    even    if    they    be    not 
mortally      wounded.      But     a 
buffalo    is    a   devil    incarnate 
when  it  has  once  decided  on 
the    offensive ;     nothing    will 
turn  it.     It  must  be  actually 
stopped  by  death,  sudden  and 
instantaneous,  as  nothing  else 
will    stop   it.      If   not    killed, 
it   will    assuredly   destroy   its 
adversary.  There  is  no  creature 
in    existence     so     determined 
to   stamp    the   life  out  of   its 
opponents,    and   the   intensity 
of     its    fury    is     unsurpassed 
when  a  wounded  bull   rushes 
forward  upon  its  last  desperate 
charge.     Should  it  succeed  in 
overthrowing  its  antagonist,  it 
will   not   only    gore   the  body 

with    its    horns,    but  will    kneel   upon    the    lifeless  form,  and  stamp    it    with    its    hoofs   till   the 

mutilated   remains   are  beyond  recog- 
nition." 

The  true  Indian  buffalo  is  usually 

shot  from    the  back   of   an   elephant. 

Hunting   it    on   foot  is   dangerous  in 

the  extreme,  for  the  buffalo  can  crash 

through  obstacles  which  would  prevent 

any  man  from  making  his  way  through 

them  when  escaping.     When  domesti- 
cated,  the    Indian  buffalo  loses   most 

traces  of  its  savageness  ;  it  is  habitually 

managed    by   the    children,  who  take 

the  herds  out  to  graze  in  the  jungle, 

and  drive  them  back,  often  riding  on 

one    of   the    bulls,    at  night.      They 

dislike     Europeans,    and    often    show 

this   by  attacking   them ;   but   other- 
wise  they    are   quite    tame,    and    are 

docile  when    in    harness    or   carrying           »-.***•-***«  [**»«,***. 

,        .  DOMESTICATED   INDIAN   BUFFALO. 

burdens.     The   burlalo  s   milk  i  3  very      Th.g  animal  ig  found  M  a  wild  and  domesticated  species  in  India.  It  is  valuable  as  a 

rich,    and     makes    a    much     larger     per-  beast  of  draught  and  for  the  dairy. 


Photo  by  York  <t  Son] 


CAPE    BUFFALO. 


Notice  the   striking  difference    depicted  on  this  page  between  the  two  species  of  buffalo-the 

Indian  and  the  Cape. 


The    Hollow'horned    Ruminants 


219 


centage  of  butter  than  ordinary  cow's  milk.  So  useful  is  this  mud-  and  water-loving  animal 
in  all  swampy  districts,  that  wherever  rice  is  cultivated  it  is  almost  indispensable.  The 
result  is  that  the  Indian  buffalo  has  been  transported,  probably  in  comparatively  modern 
times,  to  many  distant  quarters  of  the  globe.  When  this  was  done  is  not  known ;  but  it  is 
probable,  for  instance,  that  it  was  not  known  in  Egypt  in  the  days  of  the  Pharaohs,  for  its 
form  never  appears  in  the  paintings  and  sculptures.  Now  it  is  seen  very  far  up  the  Nile,  and 
plays  an  important  part  in  Egyptian  agriculture  ;  it  is  also  the  general  beast  of  burden  and 
for  the  dairy  in  the  Pontine  Marshes  of  Italy.  In  Spain  it  was  probably  introduced  by  the 
Arabs,  and  is  used  to  cultivate  the  marshy  plains  near  the  mouths  of  the  rivers  of  Andalusia ; 
it  is  also  in  use  in  the  marshes  of  Hungary,  in  the  Crimea,  and  across  Western  Asia  to 
Afghanistan.  We  have  thus  the  curious  fact  that  a  wild  animal  once  confined  to  the  jungles 
of  the  Indian  Peninsula  is  now  domesticated  on  two  other  continents.  It  has  not  been 


[  Woburn  Abbey. 


A  PAIR  OP  ANOAS. 
The  anoa  is  the  smallest  and  most  antelope-like  member  of  the  Ox  Tribe. 


introduced  into   America   yet,  though  it  would  be  useful   in    the   Mississippi    swamps ;    but  the 
Chinese  have  taken  it  to  the  Far  East,  and  established  it  as  their  favourite  beast  of  burden. 

THE  TAMARAU  AND  ANOA. 

In  the  island  of  Mindoro,  in  the  Philippines,  a  small  black  buffalo,  with  upright,  slightly 
incurved  horns,  is  found  in  the  dense  forests.  The  height  at  the  shoulder  is  about  3  feet 
6  inches ;  a  few  irregular  marks  of  white  are  found  on  the  fore  legs,  face,  and  occasionally 
the  throat.  It  is  called  the  TAMARAU  by  the  natives,  most  of  whom  fear  to  attack  it.  Its 
habits  are  said  to  be  much  the  same  as  those  of  the  other  buffaloes ;  but  it  is  reputed  to  fight 
with  the  Indian  buffaloes  which  have  escaped  and  become  semi-wild  in  the  forests. 

In  Celebes  a  still  smaller  wild  forest-buffalo  is  found,  called  the  ANOA.  It  is  only  3  feet 
3  inches  liigh  at  the  shoulder,  and  has  upright,  almost  straight  horns.  The  general  colour 
is  brownish,  tinged  with  yellow,  that  of  the  adults  being  very  dark  brown  or  black.  Scarcely 
anything  is  known  of  its  habits. 


22O 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


THE   MUSK-OX. 

THE  MUSK-OX  was  formerly 
found  in  immense  numbers  on 
the  barren  lands  and  other  regions 
bordering  on  the  Arctic  ice.  The 
hair  of  this  animal  reaches  almost 
to  the  ground,  and  the  horns  are 
large  and  massive.  At  present  it 
is  only  common  in  the  corner  of 
North  America  north  and  east  of 
a  line  drawn  from  Fort  Churchill, 
on  Hudson  Bay,  to  the  mouth  of 
the  Mackenzie,  and  on  the  adjacent 
islands  of  the  Arctic  Sea.  In 
former  Arctic  expeditions  the  flesh 
of  the  musk-oxen  was  a  great 
LVlir  A  and  relive  source  of  food.  Now 

some  parts  of  the  herds  seem  to 
have  retired  inland,  and  in  the 
winter  to  become  mainly  forest- 
dwellers  ;  but  large  numbers  seem 
to  endure  the  coldest  parts  of  the 
Arctic  winter  in  the  open  country 
of  the  Far  North,  in  the  snows 
of  Grinnell  Land  and  of  Northern 
Greenland.  The  remains  of  musk- 
oxen  have  been  found  in  the  river 
gravels  of  the  Thames  Valley,  with 
those  of  the  reindeer  and  other 
northern  species.  The  musk-ox 

gallops  at  a  great  rate  of  speed  when  disturbed  in  the  open,  and  makes  as  little  of  a  steep 
mountain-side  as  does  the  wild  sheep.  When  fat,  the  flesh  is  very  tolerable  food  ;  but  if  the 
animals  grow  thin,  the  taste  of  musk  is  very  unpleasant.  The  colour  of  the  coat  is  dark 
brown ;  ;it.  is  now  in  great  demand  for  sledge-rugs  in  Canada.  This  remarkable  animal  appears 
to  be  a  form  standing  apart  both  from  the  oxen  and  the  sheep. 

IT  will  be  seen  from  the  above  accounts  of  the  whole  wild  bovine  race  that  they  all  exhibit 
in  a  high  degree  many  of  the  traits  which  are  seen  in  domesticated  animals  of  the  same 
tribe.  The  chief  differences  made  by  man's  selection  and  breeding  affect  the  form  of  the  body 
and  the  development  of  the  udder,  otherwise  there  is  no  great  modification,  except  the  production 
of  the  drooping  ear  in  some  of  the  Indian  species  of  domesticated  oxen.  No  wild  cattle  have 
the  level,  flat  back  and  rectangular  body  which  mark  all  the  best  shorthorns  and  other  breeds 
intended  for  beef.  In  the  Asiatic  and  Galla  humped  breeds,  the  races  which  first  domesticated 
the  original  wild  species  seem  to  have  used  the  long  processes  of  the  vertebrae  which  cause 
the  back  of  many  wild  cattle  to  form  a  hump  as  the  basis  of  a  valuable  feature,  the  hump 
becoming  as  it  were  another  joint  of  meat.  The  development  of  the  udder  has  for  untold 
centuries  been  the  object  of  the  breeders  of  cows ;  consequently  we  find  that  in  the  domesticated 
races  this  has  become  abnormally  large.  There  is  at  present  a  very  general  tendency  to  get 
rid  of  the  horns  among  all  breeds  of  high  quality,  as  these  appendages  cause  much  loss  by 
wounds  inflicted  by  cattle  upon  each  other;  but  even  in  this  respect  sentiment  rather  tends  to 
preserve  the  horns  as  an  ornament  in  some  of  the  best  milking  breeds,  such  as  the  Jerseys. 


Photo  by  Hie  Duchess  of  Bedford] 

YOUKG   BULL   MUSK-OX. 


[  Wobwn  Abbey. 


The  musk-ox  is  nearly  allied  to  the  sheep.     It  is  about  the  size  of  Highland  cattle,  and 
inhabits  Arctic  America  and  Northern  Greenland. 


CHAPTER    XIV. 

THE  SHEEP  AND   GOATS. 


THE   SHEEP. 

THE  sheep  are  represented  at  the  present  time  by  several  wild  species,  one  of  which  is 
found  in  Northern  India  east  of  the  Indus,  in  the  Punjab,  and  in  Sind ;  one  in 
North  America ;  and  another  in  North  Africa.  The  rest  inhabit  the  high  ground  of 
Europe  and  Asia  as  far  south  as  the  Himalaya.  These  mountains,  with  the  adjacent  plateaux 
of  the  Pamirs  and  the  great  ranges  of  Central  Asia,  form  the  main  home  of  the  group. 
Wild  sheep  are  of  various  types,  some  so  much  like  the  goats  that  it  is  difficult  to  draw  a 
hard-and-fast  line  between  them;  while  others,  especially  the  Curly-horned  Argalis,  Bighorns, 
Oorial,  and  Kamchatka  Wild  Sheep,  are  unmistakably  ovine  in  type.  The  wild  original  of 
the  domesticated  breeds  of  sheep  is  unknown;  but  the  extreme  differences  between  various 
breeds  of  tame  sheep — as,  for  instance,  between  the  smooth-coated,  drooping-eared  breed  of 
Nubia  and  the  curly-horned,  woolly  sheep  of  Dorsetshire— must  not  be  allowed  to  divert  the 
attention  from  the  considerable  likeness  of  habit  which  still  remains  between  other  breeds 
and  the  wild  species.  Domesticated  sheep  which  live  on  hills  and  mountains  are  still  inclined 
to  seek  the  highest  ground  at  night.  The  rams  fight  as  the  wild  rams  do,  and  many  of  them 
display  activity  and  powers  of  climbing  and  of  finding  a  living  on  barren  ground  scarcely  less 
remarkable  than  in  the  wild  races. 
The  apparent  absence  of  wool  in 
the  latter  does  not  indicate  so 
great  a  difference  as  might  be 
thought.  The  domesticated  sheep 
have  been  bred  by  artificial  selection 
for  unnumbered  ages  in  order  to 
produce  wool.  It  is  said  that  in 
some  of  the  wild  breeds  there  is 
an  under-fur  which  will  "  felt  "  like 
wool.  Most  of  the  species  are  short- 
tailed  animals,  but  this  is  not  the 
case  with  the  Barbary  wild  sheep. 
Wild  sheep  are  mainly 

mountain-living      animals      or 

frequenters  of  high  ground.      They 

generally,     although     not     always, 

frequent  less   rugged   country  than 

that  affected  by  the  wild  goats,  and 

some  are  found  at  quite  low  levels. 

The   altitude   at   which    other   wild 

sheep   are   found   is,   however,  very 

great ;    on   the    Pamirs    it    reaches  photo  oy  G.  w.  wuson  &  <*>„  Ltd.}  [Aberdeen. 

20,000   feet.      Here  the  country  is  YOUNG  BARBARY  SHEEP. 

Quite    Open.  Note  the  lensrtb  of  the  tail  as  compared  with  other  wild  sheep. 

221 


222 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


THE  EUROPEAN  MOUFFLON. 

The  only  wild  sheep  of  Europe  is  the  MOUFFLON,  found  in  the  mountains  of  Corsica  and 
Sardinia.  Its  height  at  the  shoulder  is  about  27  inches.  In  the  rams  the  horns  are  strong, 
and  curved  into  a  spiral,  forming  almost  a  complete  circle.  The  hair  is  close,  and  in  winter 
has  a  woolly  under-fur.  In  summer  and  autumn  the  coat  is  a  bright  red-brown  on  the  neck, 
shoulders,  and  legs ;  the  rump  and  under-parts  are  whitish,  and  the  back  and  flanks  marked  with 
a  white  saddle.  In  winter  the  brown  becomes  darker  and  the  white  saddle  broader.  A  rather 
larger  moufflon  is  found  on  Mount  Elburz  in  Persia,  in  Armenia,  and  in  the  Taurus  Mountains. 
A  smaller  variety  exists  in  Cyprus,  where  it  has  been  preserved  since  the  British  occupation. 
The  moufflon  is  a  typical  wild  sheep.  In  Sardinia  and  Corsica  are  dense  scrubby  forests  of 
tall  heather,  some  5  feet  high.  This  maquia  is  practically  impenetrable  to  hunters.  When 
alarmed,  the  moufflon  dash  into  it,  and  are  safe.  The  maquia  has  preserved  two  very  interesting 
survivals  of  antiquity — the  moufflon,  and  the  Corsican  or  Sardinian  bandit.  The  Corsican  bandit, 
like  the  moufflon  of  the  same  island, 
is  nearly  extinct.  In  Sardinia  both 
flourish.  Many  English  sportsmen 
have  had  their  first  taste  of  big-game 
shooting  in  the  difficult  pursuit  of 
the  moufflon  on  the  Sardinian 
mountains.  Some  declare  that  the 
sport  is  so  fascinating  that  they  have 
seldom  found  much  to  equal  it  since. 
Mr.  S.  H.  Whitbread,  whose  notes'  in 
"  The  Encyclopedia  of  Sport "  are 
very  full  on  this  subject,  deems  that 
the  best  season  to  stalk  moufflon  is 
in  October  or  November.  The  animals 
are  then  less  disturbed  by  shepherds 
and  dogs,  and  the  moufflon  are  on 
the  move  and  more  easily  seen  during 
the  day  than  in  summer,  when  they 
feed  at  night  and  rest  or  sleep  by  day. 

Sir  E.  Gr.  Loder  has  a  small  herd 
of  moufflon  running  wild  in  his  park 
at  Leonardslee,  near  Horsham.  They  one  of  the  large  wild  sheep  of  Central  Asia. 

have  a  specially  built  "  mountain-top  " 

of  stone  to  make  a  home  of,  but  are  free  to  feed  where  they  like  in  the  park.  They  produce 
lambs  yearly.  It  is  an  interesting  sight  to  see  the  quick  rush  of  the  little  flock,  when 
frightened,  to  their  sheltering-place,  led  by  an  old  white-saddled  ram. 

THE  ARGALIS. 

The  ARGALIS  are  the  largest  of  all  living  wild  sheep.  Some  measure  from  3  feet  9  inches 
to  4  feet  at  the  shoulder.  The  horns  are  broad,  corrugated,  and  curling  in  the  male,  and 
in  the  female  short,  erect,  and  curving  backwards.  The  male  TIBETAN  ARGALI  has  a  ruff  on 
the  throat.  The  usual  colour  is  a  stony  grey,  mingled  with  white  in  the  summer  in  the  case 
of  the  old  males.  The  name  is  applied  collectively  to  several  wild  sheep  found  in  Northern 
and  Central  Asia.  Whether  these  are  only  varieties  or  separate  species  it  is  difficult  to  say; 
but  the  following  are  some  of  the  most  marked  forms. 

The  SIBERIAN  ARGALI  is  the  characteristic  wild  sheep  of  the  rocky  hills  and  mountains  of 
Southern  Siberia,  the  Altai  Mountains,  and  Northern  Mongolia.  The  horns  curve  so  as  to  form 
more  than  a  complete  circle;  the  upper  parts  are  tinged  with  grey,  and  the  lower  are  white. 


Photo  by  W.  P.  Dando] 


[Regent's  Park. 


SIBERIAN  ARGALI. 


The    Sheep    and    Goats 


223 


Photo  by  J.  T.  atteman]  [Berkliamstcd. 

BARBARY   SHEEP. 
These  fine  wild  sheep  are  found  in  the  Atlas  and  Aures  Mountains  of  Jsorth  Africa. 


The  TIBETAN  ARGALI  is  a  little 
smaller  in  size,  and  has  slightly 
smaller  horns.  The  rams  have  also 
a  large  white  ruff  on  the  throat. 
These  sheep  descend  in  winter  to  the 
lower  valleys  of  the  Tibetan  plateau, 
returning  to  the  higher  ground  in 
spring.  The  lambs  are  born  in  May 
or  June. 

LITTLEDALE'S  SHEEP  is  a  smaller 
animal,  found  on  the  Sair  Mountains 
in  the  Great  Altai,  on  the  north- 
western border  of  Mongolia.  It  is 
darker  in  colour  than  the  argali  or 
Marco  Polo's  sheep,  and  has  dark 
under-parts. 

Writing  of  the  argali  of  Southern 
Siberia,  the  naturalist  Brehm  says 
that  when  the  Tartars  want  mutton 
an  argali  hunt  is  organised.  The 
Tartar  hunters  advance  on  their  horses 
at  intervals  of  200  or  300  yards,  and 
when  the  sheep  are  started  generally 
manage,  by  riding,  shooting,  coursing  them  with  dogs,  and  shouting,  to  bewilder,  shoot,  or 
capture  several. 

On  the  high  plateau  of  the  Pamirs  and  the  adjacent  districts  MARCO  POLO'S  SHEEP  is 
found.  The  rams  are  only  slightly  less  in  size  than  the  Siberian  argali ;  the  hair  is  longer  than 
in  that  species,  and  the  horns  are  thinner  and  more  slender  and  extend  farther  in  an  outward 
•direction.  An  adult  ram  may  weigh  22  stone.  The  first  description  of  this  sheep  was  given 
by  the  old  traveller  whose  name  it  now  bears.  He  said  that  on  the  Pamir  plateau  wild 

animals  are  met  with  in  large  numbers, 
particularly  a  sheep  of  great  size, 
having  horns  three,  four,  and  even 
six  palms  in  length,  The  shepherds 
(?  hunters)  form  ladles  and  vessels 
from  them.  In  the  Pamirs,  Marco 
Polo's  sheep  is  seldom  found  at  less 
than  11,000  or  12,000  feet  above  the 
sea.  In  the  Thian-shan  Mountains 
it  is  said  to  descend  to  2,000  or 
3,000  feet.  They  prefer  the  hilly, 
grassy  plains,  and  only  seek  the  hills 
for  safety.  On  the  Pamirs  they  are 
said  to  be  very  numerous  in  places, 
one  hunter  stating  that  he  saw  in 
one  day  not  less  than  600  head. 

THE  BIGHORN  SHEEP  OF  AMERICA 
AND  KAMCHATKA. 


Photo  by  H".  P.  Sand 


BARBARY   SHEEP. 


This  shows  a  fine  ram,  with  a  mane  reaching  almost  to  its  hoofs. 


.North  America  has  its  parallel 
to  the  argalis  in  the  famous  BIGHORN. 
It  is  now  very  rare  even  in  Northern 


224 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


Photo  by  J.  W.  McLellan] 


[Highbury. 


BURHAL   WILD   SHEEP. 


Sometimes  called  the  Blue  Sheep.    They  have  a  wide  range  both  on  the  Himalaya  and 
north  of  those  mountains. 


Canada,  and  becoming  scarce  in  the 
United  States,  though  a  few  are 
found  here  and  there  at  various 
points  on  the  Rocky  Mountains 
as  far  south  as  Mexico.  In  habits 
it  is  much  the  same  as  other 
wild  sheep — that  is  to  say,  it 
haunts  the  rock-hills  and  "  bad 
lands  "  near  the  mountains,  feeding 
on  the  scanty  herbage  of  the  high 
ground,  and  not  descending  unless 
driven  down  by  snow. 

The  bighorn  sheep  are  very 
partial  to  salt.  Mr.  Turner 
Turner,  who  hunted  them  in 
East  Kooteney,  says  :  "  Wild  sheep 
make  periodical  excursions  to  the 
mountain-tops  to  gorge  themselves 
with  salty  clay.  They  may  remain 
from  an  hour  to  two  days,  and 
when  killed  their  stomachs  will 
be  found  full  of  nothing  but  the 
clay  formed  from  denuded  lime- 
stone, which  they  lick  and  gnaw  until  sometimes  deep  tunnels  are  formed  in  the  cliffs,  large 
enough  to  hide  six  or  seven  sheep.  The  hunter,  standing  over  one  of  these  warrens,  may 
bolt  them  within  two  yards  of  him.  In  the  dead  of  winter  sheep  often  come  to  the  woods  to 
feed  on  fir-trees.  At  such  times  they  may  be  seen  mixed  with  black-and-white-tailed  deer, 
low  on  a  river-bank.  I  have  known  them  come  within  forty  yards  of  an  inhabited  hut." 

While  on  the  subject  of  the  fondness  of  sheep  and  deer  for  salt,  we  may  mention  an 
anecdote  told  by  Mr.  H.  C.  Nelson  in  Country  Life.  He  was  sleeping  with  two  other  friends 
in  a  hut  in  the  mountains  where  some  miners  had  lived  for  a  time.  These  men,  when 
they  washed  up  their  pots  and  pans,  threw  the  slops  away  at  a  certain  place  close  by  the 
hut.  As  all  water  used  for  cooking  meat  has  salt  put  into  it,  a  little  salt  remained  on  the 
surface.  This  the  wild  deer  had  found  out,  and  were  in  the  habit  of  coming  to  lick  it  at 
night.  Mr.  Nelson  had  a  shot  at  one  some  twenty  yards  from  the  hut. 

The  bighorn  sheep  stands  from  3  feet  2  inches  to  3  feet  6  inches  at  the  shoulder.  The 
horns  are  of  the  general  type  of  the  argalis,  but  smoother.  Another  bighorn  is  found  in 
Kamchatka.  There  is  also  a  beautiful  white  race  of  bighorn  inhabiting  Alaska.  The  typical 
Rocky  Mountain  race  is  browner  than  the  Asiatic  argalis,  and  in  winter  is  dark  even  beneath 
the  front  parts  of  the  body.  It  is  not  found  on  the  high  peaks  of  the  great  ranges,  but  on 
difficult  though  lower  ground  on  the  minor  hills. 

THE  OORIAL. 

The  vast  range  of  the  Himalaya  affords  feeding-ground  to  other  species  of  wild  sheep 
and  wild  goat,  so  different  in  the  shape  of  the  horns  that  the  variations  of  the  ovine  race 
under  domestication  need  not  be  matter  for  wonder  when  so  much  variety  is  seen  in  nature. 

The  OORIAL,  or  SHA,  is  found  in  North-west  India,  on  the  Trans-Indus  Mountains,  and 
in  Ladak,  Northern  Tibet,  Afghanistan,  Baluchistan,  Turkestan,  and  Southern  Persia.  The 
horns  make  a  half-curve  backwards,  and  are  flattened.  The  angle  with  the  horizontal  line 
across  the  ears  is  about  half  a  right  angle.  The  coat  is  of  a  reddish-brown  colour,  with  white 
on  the  belly,  legs,  and  throat.  This  species  has  a  very  wide  geographical  distribution,  and  is- 
the  only  wild  sheep  found  in  India  proper. 


Photo  by  The  Duchesx  of  Bedford,  Woburn  Abbe.y. 

FEMALE     KUDU. 

The  Kudu  is  one  of  the  handsomest  of  the  African  Antelopes,  the  corkscrew-like  horns  of  the  bucks 
forming  some  of  the  most  striking  of  all  sporting  trophies. 


The    Sheep    and    Goats 


225 


[Bcrl-liafttstal. 
PUNJAB   SHEEP. 
This  is  an  example  of  one  of  the  breeds  which  carry  no  wool  whatever. 


I'koto  by  J.  T.  Newman] 


chamois-stalking ;  but  the  pursu't  seems  to  fascinate 
gave  some  charming  descrip- 
tions of  the  silence,  the  rugged 
rocks,  and  the  astonishing 
views  over  the  great  orange 
Sahara  Desert  seen  from  the 
tops  of  these  haunts  of  the 
Barbary  sheep — mountains  on 
the  summits  of  which  his  Arab 
guides  would  prostrate  them- 
selves in  evening  prayer  as 
the  sun  sank  over  the  desert, 
and  then,  rising,  once  more 
resume  the  chase.  The  young 
lambs  of  the  Barbary  sheep 
are  charming  little  creatures, 
more  like  reddish  kids.  They 
can  follow  the  mother  over  the 
steepest  ground  at  a  great 
pace.  When  caught,  as  they 
sometimes  are  by  the  Arabs, 
they  soon  become  tame.  The 


THE  BARBARY  SHEEP,  AOUDAD, 
OR  ARUI. 

This  is  a  large  wild  sheep  of 
the  North  African  highlands.  The 
old  rams  have  a  very  fine  appearance, 
with  a  long  flowing  beard  or  mane, 
and  large  horns.  These  wild  sheep, 
though  somewhat  goat-like  in  appear- 
ance, are  typical  of  their  race  in 
general  habits.  They  live  in  the 
Atlas  Eange,  and  in  the  splendid 
heights  of  the  Aures  Mountains,  which 
lie  at  the  back  of  Algeria  and  fringe 
the  great  Sahara  Desert.  In  the 
isolated  and  burning  rocks  which  jut 
up  in  the  desert  itself  into  single 
mountains  they  are  also  found,  living 
on  ground  which  seems  absolutely 
destitute  of  water,  grass,  or  vegetation. 
They  live  singly  or  in  small  families; 
but  the  rams  keep  mainly  alone. 
Sometimes  they  lie  in  shallow  caves 
during  the  heat  of  the  day.  These 
caves  smell  like  a  sheep-fold.  More 
generally  the  sheep  repose  on  some 
shelf  of  rock,  where  they  exactly 
match  the  colour  of  the  stone,  and 
are  invisible.  The  ground  is  among 
the  most  difficult  in  which  any  hunt- 
ing is  attempted,  except  perhaps  in 
sportsmen.  Mr.  A.  E.  Pease  recently 


Photo  by  L.  Medland,  F.Z.S.] 


The  fat  tail  of  this  sheep  was 


[North  Finchley. 
PAT-TAILED   SHEEP, 
considered  by  Charles  Darwin  as  due  to  degeneration. 

29 


226 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


Photo  by  IK.  f.  Dando}  [AV/../if*  I 

FOUB-HOBNED   SHEEP. 

There  are  several  breeds  of  these  sheep,  some  from  China,  some  from  Iceland,  and  others  from 

South  Africa. 


tail  is  longer  than  in  other 
wild  sheep,  and  in  the  males 
a  large  mane  covers  the  chest. 

THE  BURHAL,  OR  BLUE  SHEEP. 

This  species  possibly  indi- 
cates the  transition-point  from 
the  sheep  to  the  goats.  It 
was  pointed  out  by  Mr.  Brian 
Hodgson  that  it  had  certain 
features  more  like  the  goats 
than  the  sheep,  and  later 
other  writers  laid  stress  on 
structural  differences  of  the 
same  kind,  both  in  skull  and 
horns.  It  has  not  the  dis- 
agreeable odour  of  the  goats; 
but  the  black  markings  which 
separate  the  white  of  the  belly 
from  the  brown  of  the  flanks,  and  run  down  the  front  of  the  legs,  are  like  those  seen  on  some  goats. 
The  horns  rise  in  a  curve  outwards  and  downwards.  The  largest  are  only  some  30  inches  long. 
'Burhal  are  perhaps  the  commonest  of  all  Asiatic  wild  sheep.  They  inhabit  the  whole 
length  of  the  higher  Himalayan  Eange,  and  are  found  over  and  round  the  Central  Asian  plateau 
as  far  north  as  Yarkand.  The  horns  make  two  half-moons  at  right  angles  to  the  skull.  Unlike 
some  'of  the  other  wild  sheep,  burhal  often  climb  the  very  highest  ground  of  all.  Much  of 
the  best  burhal  ground  is  above  17,000  feet  high,  and,  as  Mr.  Whitbread  remarks,  this  alone 
makes  the  chase  of  such  an  animal  difficult.  As  in  the  moufflon,  the  mutton  is  excellent. 
There  is  no  difficulty  whatever  in  taming  these  wild  Himalayan  sheep  ;  those  in  the  Zoological 
Gardens  are  practically  domesticated. 

DOMESTICATED  SHEEP. 

Under  domestication  sheep  exhibit  a  wide  variety  of  coat,  shape,  and  size,  very  striking 
to  the  eye,  and  very  important  in  regard  to 
the  produce  of  wool  or  mutton.  The  intro- 
duction of  a  particular  breed,  with  long  wool 
or  short  wool  as  the  case  may  be,  has  often 
saved  or  altered  for  a  time  the  economic 
condition  of  a  colony  or  province.  It  was 
the  introduction  of  the  sheep  which  gave 
Australia  first  rank  among  the  rich  colonies 
of  the  world;  and  the  discovery  that  the 
Cheviot  breed  would  thrive  on  the  Scotch 
hills  made  millions  of  acres  remunerative 
which  might  otherwise  have  been  very  un- 
productive. But  the  only  important  change 
in  the  structure  of  the  sheep  in  domestica- 
tion is  the  lengthening  of  the  tail.  The 
carcase  may  be  fat  mutton  or  thin  mutton, 
'the  wool  long  or  short,  fine  or  coarse  ;  but 
the  sheep  itself  remains  true  to  type,  and  of 
much  the  same  docile  habits,  under  all  the 

Changes    of  the    breeders. 


Phol°  bv  J- 


[Serklian 


SOUTH  DOWN  SHEEP. 


The  finest  breed  of  down-sheep. 


The    Sheep    and    Goats 


227 


We  may  first  say  a  word  or  two  as  to  foreign  breeds  of  sheep,  especially  those  of  the  East. 
Some  of  these  resemble  the  wild  breeds  in  having  smooth  coats  and  almost  no  wool.  The  SOMALI 
SHEEP,  for  instance,  yield  no  wool  useful  for  felting  or  spinning.  They  have  drooping  ears  and 
black  heads.  Some  of  the  finest  natural  wool  is  developed  by  a  white  sheep  in  Tibet.  The  fur 
is  usually  sold  as  Tibetan  lamb.  The  wool  is  exactly  like  white  floss-silk.  When  cured  by 
the  Chinese,  the  leather  is  like  white  kid,  with  this  flossy  wool  attached. 

In  India  and  Persia  the  sheep  is  sometimes  used  as  a  beast  of  burden.  Mr.  Lockwood 
Kipling,  in  his  "  Beast  and  Man  in  India,"  says :  "  Borax,  asafcetida,  and  other  commodities 
are  brought  into  India  on  the  backs  of  sheep  in  bags.  The  flocks  are  driven  in  large  numbers 
from  Tibet  into  British  territory.  One  of  the  sensations  of  journeying  in  the  hills  of  the 
*  interior,'  as  the  farther  recesses  of  the  mountains  are  called  by  Anglo-Indians,  is  to  come 
suddenly  on  such  a  drove,  as  it  winds,  with  the  multitudinous  click  of  little  feet,  round  the 


P koto  by  W.  Heidi 


MERINO   BAMS. 
The  best  wool-producing  sheep.     Imported  from  Spain  to  Australia. 


[Wishaic,  N.B. 


shoulder  of  some  Himalayan  spur.  The  coarse  hair  bags  scrape  the  cliffside  from  which  the 
narrow  path  is  built  out  or  hollowed,  and  allow  but  scant  room  for  your  pony,  startled  by  the 
hurry  and  the  quick-breathing  rush  of  the  creatures  as  they  crowd  and  scuffle  past.  Only 
the  picturesque  shepherds  return  from  the^e  journeys.  The  carriers  of  the  caravan  (i.e.  the 
sheep),  feeding  as  they  go,  gather  flesh  in  spite  of  their  burdens,  and  provide  most  excellent 
mutton.  ...  In  the  towns  of  the  plains  rams  are  kept  as  fighting  animals.  A  Mohammedan 
swell  going  out  for  a  stroll  with  his  fighting-ram  makes  a  picture  of  foppery  not  easily 
surpassed  by  the  sporting  'fancy'  of  the  West.  The  ram  is  neatly  clipped,  with  a  judicious 
reservation  of  the  salient  tufts,  tipped  with  saffron  and  mauve  dye,  and  besides  a  large  collar 
of  blue  beads  it  wears  a  necklace  of  hawk-bells." 

The  FAT-TAILED  SHEEP  of  Persia  and  Tartary  exhibits  a  curious  provision  of  nature.  When 
food  is  plentiful,  a  quantity  of  fat  accumulates  on  the  tail  and  croup.  As  the  pasture  dries  up 
and  the  animal  finds  little  food,  this  store  of  fat  is  gradually  absorbed.  Another  fat-tailed 
sheep  is  found  from  Syria  and  Egypt  to  the  Cape.  This  has  a  long  tail  reaching  to  the 


228 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


ground.  In  the  Egyptian  breed  the  tail  is 
broad  throughout  ;  in  the  Syrian  it  narrows 
to  a  point.  The  ordinary  weight  of  the 
Syrian  sheep's  tail  is  15  Ibs.  ;  but  in  some 
well-fattened  examples  it  reaches  70  or 
80  Ibs.  Ludolph  saw  in  Egypt  a  sheep's  tail 
of  80  Ibs.  weight.  This  overgrown  tail  is  a 
great  encumbrance  to  the  animal.  In  order 
to  lighten  the  burden,  the  shepherds  fasten 
under  it  a  small  board,  sometimes  with  wheels 
attached,  to  make  it  easy  to  draw  over  the 
ground. 

In  Greece,  Wallachia,  and  Western  Asia 
a  fine  breed  of  sheep,  quite  different  from 
the  English  forms,  is  seen.  It  is  called  the 
WALLACHIAN  SHEEP.  When  the  Zoological 
Gardens  were  first  founded  here,  some  of 
these  sheep  were  introduced  and  crossed  with 
English  breeds.  The  horns  are  tall  spirals, 
as  in  the  great  kudu  antelope.  The  body 
is  large,  and  the  fleece  long  and  straight, 
and  more  like  that  of  the  long-haired  goats 
than  curly  wool. 

There  are  now  few  countries  in  the 
world  to  which  sheep  have  not  been  intro- 
duced. They  were  probably  among  the 
earliest  animals  to  be  domesticated. 
Certainly  they  are  the  first  to  be  mentioned  ; 

for   we   learn    that    "Abel    was   a   keeper   of   sheep,"    while    Cain    tilled    the    earth.      The    feud 

between  the  keeper  of  flocks  and  the  grower  of  crops 

typified  in  this  ancient  quarrel  still  goes  on  wherever 

the    wild    mountain    breeds   of    sheep   are   kept,    for 

there  is  of  necessity   always  danger  that  the  wander- 

ing  sheep  may  raid   the    plots   of  corn.     In  Spain  a 

curious  and  ancient  set  of  laws  regulates  the  passage 

of   the   flocks   to    and   from    the    mountain    pastures 

through  the  corn-lands. 

It  is  said  that  the  name  of  the  famous  breed  of 

Spanish  sheep  known  as  MERINOS  recalls  their  foreign 

origin  from  across  the  sea,  and  that  they  were  originally 

imported  into  Spain  from  England.     Whether  that  be 

so   or  not,   it   is   certain  that  no  one  could  recognise 

them  now.     The  finest  merino  sheep,  especially  those 

bred    in    Australia,    into    which    country    they    were 

imported    some   forty   years    ago,    look    as   if   covered 

with  a  dense  growth  of  moss.     The  close  wool  grows 

not  only  on  their  backs,  sides,  and  bellies,  but  on  legs, 

forehead,  and    nose.      There    are    believed   to   be   ten 

millions    of  merino   sheep   in    Spain,   most  of    which 

are    migratory.      They    are    called    "  transhumantes," 

and    are   taken    from    the    plains    to   the    mountains  LEICESTER  EWE. 

and  from  the  mountains  to  the  plains  yearly.     These  A  heavy,  long-wooiied  breed. 


Photo  li>  J.  T.  -Kemnan}  [Serkluansted. 

BLACK-FACED   MOUNTAIN-SHEEP. 
•The  sheep  of  the  high  mountains  and  heather-moors. 


Phoio  by  /. 


The    Sheep    and    Goats 


229 


"  transhumantes "  are  divided  into  flocks,  each  under  a  head  shepherd,  or  "  majoral."  The 
flocks  follow  the  shepherds,  who  lead  the  way,  and  direct  the  length  and  speed  of  the  journey. 
A  few  wethers,  trained  to  the  business,  follow  the  shepherds,  and  the  rest  come  in  due  order. 
Powerful  dogs  accompany  them  as  guards.  This  system  of  sheep  migration  is  controlled  by 
a  tribunal  termed  the  Mesta.  It  can  be  traced  back  to  the  middle  of  the  fourteenth  century. 
By  it  persons  are  prohibited  from  travelling  along  the  course  of  the  route  pursued  by  the 
flocks  so  long  as  they  are  on  the  road.  It  also  maintains  the  right  for  the  flocks  to  graze 
on  all  the  open  or  common  land  that  lies  in  the  way.  Moreover,  it  claims  a  path  ninety 
yards  wide  through  all  enclosed  and  cultivated  country.  The  length  of  the  journey  is  over 
400  miles,  which  is  accomplished  in  six  or  seven  weeks.  The  system  works  greatly  to  the 
injury  of  local  cultivators  and  stationary  flocks,  whose  fields  are  injured  by  the  migratory  sheep. 


Photo  by  W. 


[Withaw,  N.B. 


CROSS-BRED   SHEEP. 
The  class  of  sheep  kept  mainly  on  cultivated  land  in  the  North  Midlands. 

ENGLISH  BREEDS  OF  SHEEP. 

In  England  are  reared  the  finest  and  most  valuable  sheep.  This  is  evident  from  the 
prices  paid  for  them  by  foreigners  and  breeders  in  our  colonies.  Except  for  merinos,  no 
one  comes  to  any  other  country  but  this  when  about  to  seek  new  blood  for  their  flocks  or 
to  stock  new  lands.  Kecently  1,000  guineas  were  paid  by  a  firm  in  Argentina  for  a  single 
Lincoln  ram. 

Differences,  well  marked  and  of  great  importance,  exist  between  our  different  breeds.  Each 
suits  its  own  district,  and  each  is  carefully  improved  and  kept  pure  by  herd-books,  in  which  all 
pedigree  animals  are  entered. 

The  "  general  utility  sheep "  in  England  is  the  SOUTH  DOWN  ;  in  Scotland,  the  BORDER 
LEICESTER.  The  former  is  a  small,  fine  sheep,  with  close  wool,  and  yielding  excellent  mutton. 
It  provides  the  meat  sold  in  our  best  shops,  and  has  largely  stocked  New  Zealand.  The 
original  breed  of  England  was  possibly  the  COTSWOLD;  it  is  a  tall,  long-woolled,  white-fleeced 


230 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


Photo  by  J.  T.  Kemnan] 


listed. 


LONK   RAM. 


This  is  a  photograph  of  the  largest  sheep  on  record. 


sheep.  Later  a  large  heavy 
sheep,  with  long  wool  and  a 
massive  body,  was  bred  in 
the  Midlands,  and  called  the 
LEICESTER  LONG-WOOL.  This 
sheep  gives  a  great  cut  of 
wool,  and  much  coarse  mutton. 
The  CHEVIOT  SHEEP,  originally 
bred  on  the  hills  of  that 
name,  is  now  one  of  the 
mainstays  of  the  Scotch 
mountain  farmer.  The 
Cheviots  eat  the  grass  on 
the  high  hillsides,  while  the 
BLACK-FACED  HIGHLAND  SHEEP 
live  on  the  heather  higher 
up.  The  SUFFOLK,  OXFORD, 
HAMPSHIRE,  and  other  "  Down  " 
sheep  are  larger  breeds  than 
the  Soutih  Down.  The 
ROMNEY  MARSH  SHEEP  are  a 
heavy  long-woolled  breed. 
The  EXMOORS  are  small 

heather-sheep   like  those   of  Wales,  and   the   SOA  and  ST.  KILDA  SHEEP,  which  are  often  four- 
horned,  the   smallest  of  all. 

The  maintenance  of  flocks  is  now  almost  an  essential  part  of  English  agriculture  on  all 
chalk  lands,  which  comprise  a  very  large  percentage  of  the  southern  counties.  On  the  chalk 
downs  the  flocks  are  the  great  fertilisers  of  the  soil.  Every  night  the  sheep  are  folded  on 
the  fields  which  are  destined  to  produce  corn  in  the  following  year.  The  manure  so  left  on 
the  soil  ensures  a  good  crop,  with  no  expense  for  carting  the  fertiliser  from  the  farmyard,  as 
is  the  case  with  manure  made  by  oxen  kept  in  straw-yards. 

On  the  South  Downs,  Oxfordshire  Downs  or  Chiltern  Hills,  Salisbury  Plain,  and  the 
Berkshire  Downs  the  farms  have  been  mainly  carried  on  by  the  aid  of  the  flocks.  Where 
these  are  no  longer  kept  the  land  reverts  to  grass,  and  the  growing  of  corn  ceases.  On  the 
coarse,  new-sown  grasses  cattle  take  the  place  of  sheep,  and  an  inferior  style  of  farming,  like 
the  ranches  of  South  America,  replaces  the  / 
careful  and  high-ly  skilled  agriculture  of  Old 
England.  In  the  far  north  of  Scotland  cross- 
bred sheep  are  now  reared  and  fed  in  winter 
on  turnips,  which  will  grow  luxuriantly  where 
the  climate  is  too  bleak  and  wet  for  wheat. 

Formerly  cattle  were  the  main  source 
of  wealth  to  the  owners  of  Highland  estates. 
The  sheep  was  only  introduced  after  the 
Highlands  were  subdued  subsequently  to 
the  rebellion  in  1745.  It  was  found  that 
the  rough-coated  heather-sheep  throve  on  the 
wet  and  elevated  hills.  This  led  to  their 
substitution  for  cattle,  as  wool  was  then  dear. 

Sheep  are  now  in  their  turn  giving  way  to  Pkoto  hy  ^  r>  Newman] 

grouse   and  deer  over  much  of  the  Central  WELSH  EWES 

Highlands,  as  the  price  of  wool  has  fallen.  A  small  breed  of  hill.sheep. 


[Serkhamsted. 


The    Sheep    and    Goats 


231 


Photo  by  E.  Landor] 

FEMALE  ANGORA  GOAT. 
The  breed  from  which  mohair  is  obtained. 


[Eating. 


THE   GOATS. 

THOUGH  the  dividing-line  between 
the  Sheep  and  Goats  is  very  indistinct, 
some  differences  are  of  general  applica- 
tion. The  goats  are  distinguished  by 
the  unpleasant  "  hircine  "  odour  of  the 
males,  and  by  beards  on  the  chins 
of  the  same  sex,  by  the  absence  of 
glands  in  the  hind  feet,  which  sheep 
possess,  and  by  certain  variations  in 
the  formation  of  the  skull.  The 
difference  between  the  temperament 
of  the  sheep  and  goats  is  very  curious 
and  persistent,  showing  itself  in  a 
marked  way,  which  affects  their  use 
in  domestication  to  such  a  degree  that 
the  keeping  of  one  or  the  other  often 
marks  the  owners  as  possessors  of 
different  degrees  of  civilisation.  Goats 
are  restless,  curious,  adventurous,  and 
so  active  that  they  cannot  be  kept 
in  enclosed  fields.  For  this  reason 
they  are  not  bred  in  any  numbers  in 
lands  where  agriculture  is  practised 

on  modern  principles ;  they  are  too  enterprising  and  too  destructive.     Consequently  the  goat  is 

usually  only  seen  in  large  flocks  on  mountain  pastures  and  rocky,  uncultivated  ground,  where  the 

flocks  are  taken  out  to  feed  by  the  children. 

On  the  high   Alps,  in    Greece,  on  the   Apennines,  and   in  Palestine  the   goat  is  a  valuable 

domestic  animal.       The    milk,  butter,  and  cheese,  and  also  the  flesh  of  the  kids,   are   in   great 

esteem.     But  wherever  the  land  is  enclosed,  and  high  cultivation  attempted,  the  goat  is  banished, 

and  the   more   docile   and    controllable 

sheep  takes   its   place.       In    Syria   the 

goat  is  perhaps  more  docile  and  better 

understood    as    a    dairy    animal    than 

elsewhere  in  the  East.     The  flocks  are 

driven  into  Damascus  in  the  morning ; 

and  instead  of  a  milk-cart  calling,  the 

flock  itself   goes   round   the   city,    and 

particular  goats  are  milked  before  the 

doors  of  regular  customers. 

The    EUROPEAN    GOAT   is   a    very 

useful    animal    for   providing    milk    to 

poor   families    in    large    towns.       The 

following   account    of  its   present   uses 

was   recently   published :    "  The   sheep, 

while   preserving    its    hardy    habits    in 

some  districts,  as  on  Exmoor,  in  Wales, 

and    the    Highlands,    adapts    itself    to 

richer  food,  and  acquires  the  habits  as 

well  as  the  digestion  of  domestication.    , 

0  Inese  goats  were  originally  obtained  from  Turkey  in  Asia,  and  exported  to  South 

The  goat  remains,  as  in  old  days,  the  Africa. 


Photo  by  E.  Landor] 


[Ealing. 


ANGORA  RAM. 


232 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


enemy  of  trees,  inquisitive,  omnivorous,  pugnacious.  It  is  unsuited  for  the  settled  life  of  the 
English  farm.  Rich  pasture  makes  it  ill,  and  a  good  clay  soil,  on  which  cattle  grow  fat,  kills  it. 
But  it  is  far  from  being  disqualified  for  the  service  of  some  forms  of  modern  civilisation  by  the 
survival  of  primitive  habits.  Though  it  cannot  live  comfortably  in  the  smiling  pastures  of  the 
low  country,  it  is  perfectly  willing  to  exchange  the  rocks  of  the  mountain  for  a  stable-yard  in 
town.  Its  love  for  stony  places  is  amply  satisfied  by  the  granite  pavement  of  a  'mews,'  and 
it  has  been  ascertained  that  goats  fed  in  stalls  and  allowed  to  wander  in  paved  courts  and  yards 
live  longer  and  enjoy  better  health  than  those  tethered  even  on  light  pastures.  In  parts  of 
New  York  the  city  goats  are  said  to  nourish  on  the  paste-daubed  paper  of  the  advertisements, 
which  they  nibble  from  the  hoardings.  It  is  beyond  doubt  that  these  hardy  creatures  are 
exactly  suited  for  living  in  large  towns ;  an  environment  of  bricks  and  mortar  and  paving- 
stones  suits  them.  Their  spirits  rise 
in  proportion  to  what  we  should  deem 
the  depressing  nature  of  their  sur- 
roundings. They  love  to  be  tethered 
on  a  common,  with  scanty  grass  and 
a  stock  of  furze-bushes  to  nibble.  A 
deserted  brick-field,  with  plenty  of 
broken  drain-tiles,  rubbish-heaps,  and 
weeds,  pleases  them  still  better. 
Almost  any  kind  of  food  seems  to 
suit  them.  Not  even  the  pig  has  so 
varied  a  diet  as  the  goat ;  it  consumes 
and  converts  into  milk  not  only  great 
quantities  of  garden-stuff  which  would 
otherwise  be  wasted,  but  also,  thanks 
to  its  love  for  eating  twigs  and  shoots, 
it  enjoys  the  prunings  and  loppings 
of  bushes  and  trees.  In  the  Mont 
d'Or  district  of  France  the  goats  are 
fed  on  oatmeal  porridge.  With  this 
diet,  and  plenty  of  salt,  the  animals 
are  scarcely  ever  ill,  and  never  suffer 
from  tuberculosis;  they  will  often 
give  ten  times  their  own  weight  of 
milk  in  a  year." 

The  Kashmir  shawls  are  made  of 
the  finest  goats'  hair.  Most  of  this 
very  soft  hair  is  obtained  from  the 
.under-fur  of  goats  kept  in  Tibet,  and 
by  the  Kirghiz  in  Central  Asia.  Only 

a  small  quantity,  averaging  3  ozs.,  is  produced   yearly  by  each  animal.     The  wool  is  purchased 
by  middlemen,  and  taken  to  Kashmir  for  manufacture. 

In  India  the  goat  reaches  perhaps  the  highest  point  of  domestication.  The  flocks  are  in 
charge  of  herd-boys,  but  the  animals  are  so  docile  that  they  are  regarded  with  no  hostility 
by  the  cultivators  of  corn  and  cereals.  Tame  goats  are  also  kept  throughout  Africa.  The 
valuable  ANGOHA  breed,  from  which  "  mohair  "  is  obtained,  is  now  domesticated  in  South  Africa 
and  in  Australia.  In  the  former  country  it  is  a  great  commercial  success.  The  animals  were 
obtained  with  great  difficulty,  as  the  Turkish  owners  did  not  wish  to  sell  their  best-bred 
goats;  but  when  once  established  at  the  Cape,  it  was  found  that  they  proved  better  producers 
of  mohair  than  when  in  their  native  province  of  Angora.  The  "clip"  from  their  descendants 
steadily  improves. 


Photo  by  E.  Landor] 


[Baling. 


BKITISH   GOAT. 


A  much-neglected  breed  in  this  country.    Note  the  shape  of  this  animal. 


The    Sheep    and    Goats 


233 


WILD    GOATS. 

THE  TUR. 

IN  the  Caucasus,  both  east  and 
west,  in  the  Pyrenees,  and  on  the 
South  Spanish  sierras  three  fine  wild 
goats,  with  some  features  not  unlike 
the  burhal  sheep,  are  found.  They 
are  called  TUR  by  the  Caucasian 
mountaineers.  The  species  found  in 
the  East  Caucasus  differs  from  that 
of  the  west  of  the  range,  and  both 
from  that  of  Spain.  The  EAST 
CAUCASIAN  TUR  is  a  massive,  heavy 
animal,  all  brown  in  colour  (except  on 
the  fronts  of  the  legs,  which  are 
blackish),  and  with  horns  springing 
from  each  side  of  the  skull  like  half- 
circles.  The  males  are  38  inches  high 
at  the  shoulder.  The  short  beard  and 
tail  are  blackish,  and  there  is  no  white 
on  the  coat.  The  WEST  CAUCASIAN 

rp,          .  ,       ,.    ,  ,  .  ,  Ey  permission  of  P.  Thomas,  Esq. 

TUR  is  much   lighter  in   colour   than  FEMALE  TOGGENBURG  GOAT. 

that     OI     the     iiaSt     CaUCaSUS,    and     the  These  goats  are  milk-goats  par  excellence  ;  they  remain  in  profit  for  at  least  ten 

homS  point  backwards    more  like  those     montlls  in  tne  y^1      Each  goat  produces  on  an  average  from  110  to  120  gallons  of 
„       ,  '     milk  during  the  year 

oi  the  ibex,  though  set  on  the  skull 
at  a  different  angle.  The  SPANISH  *~ 
TUR  has  the  belly  and  inner  sides  of 
the  legs  white,  and  a  blackish  line 
along  the  flank,  dividing  the  white 
from  the  brown ;  also  a  blackish  chest, 
and  some  grey  on  the  flank. 

In  the  Caucasus  the  tur  are 
found  on  the  high  crags  above  the 
snow-line  in  summer,  whence  they 
descend  at  night  to  feed  on  patches 
of  upland  grass;  but  the  main  home 
of  the  tur  by  day  is  above  the  snow- 
line.  The  Spanish  species  modifies  its 
habits  according  to  the  ground  on 
which  it  lives.  Mr.  E.  N.  Buxton 
found  it  in  dense  scrub,  while  on  the 
Andalusian  sierras  it  frequents  bare 
peaks  10,000  feet  high.  In  Spain 
tur  are  sometimes  seen  in  flocks  of 
from  100  to  150  each. 

THE    PERSIAN    WILD    GOAT.  This    breed    originally   came    from    Switzerland,   but   is    now    well   known    in 

England.     The  animals  are  fine  in  bone,  have  a  long,  thin  neck,  with  two  tassel-like 

The  original  of  our  domesticated     appendages. 
goat   is   thought   by  some  to   be   the 

PASANG,  or  PERSIAN  WILD  GOAT.  It  is  a  fine  animal,  with  large  scimitar-shaped  horns,  curving 
backwards,  flattened  laterally,  and  with  knobs  on  the  front  edge  at  irregular  intervals.  It  is 
more  slender  in  build  than  the  tur,  light  brown  in  general  colour,  marked  with  a  black  line 

30 


By  permission  of  P.  Thomas,  Esq. 

STUD   TOGGENBURG  GOAT. 


234 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


along  the  nape  and  back,  black  tail,  white  belly,  blackish  shoulder-stripe,  and  a  black  line 
dividing  the  hinder  part  of  the  flank  from  the  white  belly.  Formerly  found  in  the  islands  of 
South-eastern  Europe,  it  now  inhabits  parts  of  the  Caucasus,  the  Armenian  Highlands,  Mount 
Ararat,  and  the  Persian  mountains  as  far  east  as  Baluchistan.  A  smaller  race  is  found  in  Sind. 
It  lives  in  herds,  sometimes  of  considerable  size,  and  frequents  not  only  the  high  ground,  but 
the  mountain  forests  and  scrub,  where  such  cover  exists.  The  domesticated  goat  of  Sweden  is 
said  to  be  certainly  a  descendant  of  this  species. 

THE  IBEX. 

Of  the  IBEX,  perhaps  the  best  known  of  all  the  wild  goats,  several  species,  differing 
somewhat  in  size  and  in  the  form  of  their  horns,  are  found  in  various  parts  of  the  Old  World. 
Of  these,  the  ARABIAN  IBEX  inhabits  the  mountains  of  Southern  Arabia,  Palestine,  and  Sinai, 


J3y  permission  of  P.  Thomas,  Esq. 

SCHWARTZALS  GOAT. 

A  large,  long-haired  breed,  which  derives  its  name  from  its  peculiar  colour,  the  fore  part  of  the  body  being  black  and  the  hinder  part  white. 

These  goats  are  good  milkers. 

Upper  Egypt,  and  perhaps  Morocco.  The  ABYSSINIAN  IBEX  is  found  in  the  high  mountains  of 
the  country  from  which  it  takes  its  name.  The  ALPINE  IBEX  is  now  extinct  in  the  Swiss 
Alps  and  Tyrol,  but  survives  on  the  Piedmontese  side  of  Monte  Rosa.  The  ASIATIC  IBEX  is 
the  finest  of  the  group;  its  horns  have  been  found  to  measure  54f  inches  along  the  curve. 
This  ibex  inhabits  the  mountain-ranges  of  Central  Asia,  from  the  Altai  to  the  Himalaya,  and 
the  Himalaya  as  far  as  the  source  of  the  Ganges. 

The  King  of  Italy  is  the  great  preserver  of  the  ALPINE  IBEX,  and  has  succeeded  where 
the  nobles  of  the  Tyrol  have  failed.  The  animals  are  shot  by  driving  them,  the  drivers  being 
expert  mountaineers.  The  way  in  which  the  ibex  come  down  the  passes  and  over  the  precipices 
is  simply  astonishing.  One  writer  lately  saw  them  springing  down  perpendicular  heights  of 
40  feet,  or  descending  "  chimneys  "  in  the  mountain-face  by  simply  cannoning  off  with  their 
feet  from  side  to  side.  Young  ibex  can  be  tamed  with  ease,  the  only  drawback  to  their 
maintenance  being  the  impossibility  of  confining  them.  They  will  spring  on  to  the  roof  of 


The    Sheep    and    Goats 


235 


a  house,  and  spend  the  day  there  by  prefer- 
ence, though  allowed  the  run  of  all  the  premises. 
The  kids  are  generally  two  in  number;  they 
are  born  in  June. 

The  ibex  was  long  one  of  the  chief 
objects  of  the  Alpine  hunter.  The  Emperor 
Maximilian  had  a  preserve  of  them  in  the 
Tyrol  mountains  near  the  Aachen  Sea ;  these 
he  shot  with  a  cross-bow  when  they  were 
driven  down  the  mountains.  Sometimes  they 
were  forced  across  the  lake.  A  picture  in 
his  private  hunting-book  shows  the  Emperor 
assisting  to  catch  one  in  a  net  from  a  boat. 
He  notes  that  he  once  shot  an  ibex  at  a 
distance  of  200  yards  with  a  cross-bow,  after 
one  of  his  companions  had  missed  it  with  a 
gun,  or  "fire-tube."  When  away  on  an  ex- 
pedition in  Holland,  he  wrote  a  letter  to  the 
wife  of  one  of  the  most  noted  ibex-poachers 
on  his  domain,  promising  her  a  silk  dress  if 
she  could  induce  her  husband  to  let  the 
animals  alone.  In  the  Himalaya  the  chief 
foes  of  the  ibex  are  the  snow-leopard  and 
wild  dog. 

THE  MARKHOR. 

The  very  fine  Himalayan  goat  of  this 
name  differs  from  all  other  wild  species.  The 
horns  are  spiral,  like  those  of  the  kudu 


Photo  by  S.  G.  Payne,  Aylesbury,  ly  permission  of  the  Hon.   Waltsr 
Rothschild. 

YOUNG   MALE   ALPINE   IBEX 

The  photograph  shows  the  corrugated  horns  of  the  male. 


Photo  l>y  the  Duchess  of  Bedford]  [  Woburn  Abbey. 

MALE  ALPINE   IBEX. 

The  finest  wild  goat  of   Europe,  formerly  common  on    the  Swiss  Alps, 
now  only  on  a  limited  area  on  the  Italian  side. 

antelope  and  "Wallachian  sheep.  It  may  well 
be  called  the  king  of  the  wild  goats.  A 
buck  stands  as  much  as  41  inches  at  the 
shoulder,  and  the  maximum  measurement  of 
the  horns  is  63  inches,  or  over  5  feet !  It 
has  a  long  beard  and  mane,  and  stands  very 
upright  on  its  feet.  Besides  the  Himalaya, 
it  haunts  the  mountains  on  the  Afghan 
frontier.  The  markhor  keep  along  the  line 
between  the  forest  and  snow,  some  of  the 
most  difficult  ground  in  the  hills.  The  horns 
are  a  much-prized  trophy. 

THE  TAHR. 

The  TAHR  of  the  Himalaya  is  a  very 
different-looking  animal  to  the  true  goats, 
from  which,  among  other  characters,  it  is 
distinguished  by  the  form  and  small  size 


236 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


of  the  horns.  The  horns,  which  are 
black,  spring  in  a  high  backward 
arch,  but  the  creature  has  no  beard. 
A  buck  stands  sometimes  as  much  a& 
38  inches  high  at  the  shoulder.  It 
has  a  long,  rough  coat,  mainly  dark 
stone-colour  in  tint. 

Tahr  live  in  the  forest  districts- 
of  the  Middle  Himalaya,  where  they 
are  found  on  very  high  and  difficult 
ground.  General  Donald  Macintyre 
shot  one  standing  on  the  brink  of 
an  almost  sheer  precipice.  Down  this 
it  fell,  and  the  distance  in  sheer 
depth  was  such  that  it  was  difficult 
to  see  the  body  even  with  glasses. 
The  tahr  is  fairly  common  all  along 
the  higher  Himalayan  Kange.  Its- 
bones  are  believed  to  be  a  sovereign 
cure  for  rheumatism,  and  are  exported 

to   India   for   that  object.     A  smaller  kind  is  found  in  the  mountains  of   Eastern  Arabia,  where 

very  few  English  sportsmen  have  yet  cared  to  attempt  to  shoot  them. 


by  permission  oj  P.  ThomiUf,  £MJ. 

NUBIAN   GOAT. 

These  goats  come  from  Nubia  and  Upper  Egypt.  They  are  generally  hornless 
and  short-haired  ;  the  colour  varies,  being  sometimes  black,  and  sometimes  tan  and 
spotted. 


THE  NILGIRI  TAHR,  OR  NILGIRI  IBEX. 

Though  not  an  ibex,  the  sportsmen  of  India  early  gave  this  name  to  the  tahr  of  the 
Nilgiri  and  Anamalai  Hills.  The  Himalayan  species  is  covered  with  long,  shaggy  hair ;  the 
South  Indian  has  short,  smooth  brown  hair. 

"The  ibex,"  says  Hawkeye,  the  Indian  sportsman,  of  this  animal,  "is  massively  formed, 
with  short  legs,  remarkably  strong  fetlocks,  and  a  heavy  carcase,  short  and  well  ribbed  up, 
combining  strength  and  agility  wonderful  to  behold.  Its  habits  are  gregarious,  and  the  does 
are  seldom  met  with  separate  from  the  flock  or  herd,  though  males  often  are.  The  latter 
assume,  as  they  grow  old,  a  distinctive  appearance.  The  hair  on  the  back  becomes  lighter, 
almost  white  in  some  cases,  causing  a  kind  of  saddle  to  appear;  and  from  that  time  they 
become  known  to  the  shikaries  as  the  saddle-backs  of  the  herd,  an  object  of  ambition  to 
the  eyes  of  the  true  sportsman.  It  is  a  pleasant  sight  to  watch  a  herd  of  ibex  feeding 
undisturbed,  the  kids  frisking  here  and  there  on  pinnacles  or  ledges  of  rock  and  beetling 
cliffs  where  there  seems  scarcely  safe  hold  for  anything  much  larger  than  a  grasshopper,  the 
old  mother  looking  calmly  on.  Then  again,  see  the  caution  observed  in  taking  up  their 
resting-  or  abiding-places  for  the  day,  where  they  may  be  warmed  by  the  sun,  listening  to 
the  war  of  many  waters,  chewing  the  cud  of  contentment,  and  giving  themselves  up  to  the 
full  enjoyment  of  their  nomadic  life  and  its  romantic  haunts.  Usually,  before  reposing,  one 
of  their  number,  generally  an  old  doe,  may  be  observed  gazing  intently  below,  apparently 
scanning  every  spot  in  the  range  of  her  vision,  sometimes  for  half  an  hour  or  more, 
before  she  is  satisfied  that  all  is  well,  but,  strange  to  say,  seldom  or  never  looking  up  to- 
the  rocks  above.  Then,  being  satisfied  on  the  one  side,  she  follows  the  same  process  on  the 
other,  and  eventually  lies  down  calmly,  contented  with  the  precautions  she  has  taken. 
Should  the  sentinel  be  joined  by  another,  or  her  kid  come  and  lie  by  her,  they  always  lie 
back  to  back,  in  such  a  manner  as  to  keep  a  good  look-out  to  either  side.  A  solitary 
male  goes  through  all  this  by  himself,  and  wonderfully  careful  he  is ;  but  when  with 
the  herd  he  reposes  in  security,  leaving  it  to  the  female  to  take  precautions  for  their 
joint  safety." 


Plioto  by  Fratdli  Al'uuai} 

ITALIAN  GOAT. 
Prom  the  earliest  Roman  days  these  goats  have  been  the  main  form  of  livestock  kept  by  the  mountaineers  of  the  Apennines. 

237 


[Florence. 


238 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


ROCKY  MOUNTAIN  GOAT. 

America  possesses  only  one  species  of  wild 
goat,  the  place  of  this  genus  being  taken  in  the 
southern  part  of  the  continent  by  the  camel-like 
guanacos.  The  ROCKY  MOUNTAIN  GOAT,  the  North 
American  representative  of  the  group,  is  a  some- 
what anomalous  creature.  It  has  very  few  of  the 
characteristics  of  the  European  and  Asiatic  species. 
In  place  of  being  active  in  body  and  vivacious 
in  temperament,  it  is  a  quiet,  lethargic  creature, 
able,  it  is  true,  to  scale  the  high  mountains  of  the 
North-west  and  to  live  among  the  snows,  but  with 
none  of  the  energetic  habits  of  the  ibex  or  the 
tahr.  In  form  it  is  heavy  and  badly  built.  It  is 
heavy  in  front  and  weak  behind,  like  a  bison.  The 
eye  is  small,  the  head  large,  and  the  shoulders 
humped.  It  feeds  usually  on  very  high  ground ; 
but  hunters  who  take  the  trouble  to  ascend  to  these 
altitudes  find  little  difficulty  in  killing  as  many  wild 
goats  as  they  wish.  These  goats  are  most  numerous 
in  the  ranges  of  British  Columbia,  where  they  are 
found  in  small  flocks  of  from  three  or  four  to 
twenty.  Several  may  be  killed  before  the  herd  is 
thoroughly  alarmed,  possibly  because  at  the  high 
altitudes  at  which  they  are  found  man  has  seldom 
disturbed  them.  None  of  the  domesticated  sheep 
or  goats  of  the  New  World  are  indigenous  to  the 
continent  of  America.  It  is  a  curious  fact,  well 
worth  studying  from  the  point  of  view  of  the  history 
of  man,  that,  with  the  exception  of  the  llama,  the 

dog,   and   perhaps   the   guinea-pig,   every   domesticated  animal  in    use   from   Cape  Horn  to  the 

Arctic  Ocean  has  been  imported.     The  last  of  these  importations  is  the  reindeer,  which,  though 

the  native  species  abounds  in  the  Canadian  woods,  was  obtained  from  Lapland  and  Eastern  Asia. 
The  history  of  this  effort  at  acclimatisation  is  curious,  and  may  be  quoted  in  this  connection. 

When  the  first  rush  to  Klondike  was  made,  the  miners  were  imprisoned  and  inaccessible  during 

the  late  winter.     The  coming  of  spring  was   the  earliest  period  at  which  communication  could 

be  expected  to  be  restored,  and  even  then 

the  problem  of  feeding  the  transport  animals 

was   a   difficult   one.     The   United    States 

Government  decided  to  try  to  open  up  a 

road  from  Alaska  by  means  of  sledges  drawn 

by  reindeer,  and  the  Canadian  Government 

devised  a  similar  scheme.    Agents  were  sent 

to  Lapland  and  to  the  tribes  on  the  western 

side  of  Bering  Sea,  and  deer,  drivers,  and 

harness    obtained    from    both.      The    deer 

were  not  used  for  the  Klondike  relief  ex- 
peditions by  the  Americans  ;  but  the  animals 

and  their  drivers  were  kept  in  Alaska,  native 

reindeer  were  caught,  and  the  latest  news  of         Pkoto  by  Migs  E- J- Beck- 

the  experiment  is  that  the  deer  were  found  HIMALAYAN  TAHR  AND  YOUNG. 

Very  Useful  for  Carrying  the  mails  in   winter.  The  typical  representative  of  the  short-horned  wild  goats. 


Photo  by  Miss  E.  J.  Beck. 

ROCKY  MOUNTAIN   GOAT. 

This  is  one  of  the  few  animals  which  are  white  at  all  seasons 
of  the  year.  The  horns  and  hoofs  are  jet- black,  forming  a 
striking  contrast  to  the  beautiful  coat. 


CHAPTER      XV. 

THE  ANTELOPES. 

BY   F.    C.   SELOUS. 

rTIHE  TRUE  ANTELOPES  (including  the  Gazelles)  are  strictly 
1        confined   to   the    Old   World,    the  Prongbuck  of  North 
America    differing    so    much    from     all     other     living 
ruminants,    in    its    horn    growth   and    other   particulars,    that 
it  is  considered  to   be   the   sole   representative    of  a   distinct 
family. 

THE  HARTEBEESTS. 

With  the  exception  of  one  species — the  Bubal — which  is 
found  both  in  North  Africa  and  Arabia,  the  HARTEBEESTS  are 
entirely  confined  to  the  African  Continent.  They  are  animals 
of  large  size,  standing  from  43  to  48  inches  at  the  shoulder, 
and  are  characterised  by  their  long,  narrow  faces,  high  withers, 
and  doubly  curved  horns,  which  are  present  in  both  sexes. 
Nine  different  species  of  this  group  are  known  to  exist. 

Although  the  ranges  of  these  various  species  of  harte- 
beest  cover  the  greater  part  of  the  African  Continent,  it  is 
noteworthy  that  each  species  keeps  to  its  own  ground,  their 
several  ranges  but  rarely  overlapping. 

All  the  hartebeests  have  a  strong  family  resemblance, 
and  are  very  similar  in  their  habits.  They  are  never  found 
either  in  dense  forests  or  in  swampy  or  mountainous  country, 
but  are  inhabitants  of  the  arid  deserts  of  Northern  and 
South-western  Africa,  and  of  the  open  grassy  plains  and 
thinly  forested  regions  of  the  high  plateaux  of  the  interior 
of  that  continent.  They  are  extraordinarily  fleet  and  enduring, 
and  in  my  own  experience  I  have  never  heard  of  one  of 
these  animals,  of  whatever  species,  having  been  overtaken  or 

ridden  to  a  standstill  by  a  man  on  horseback.  They  are  very  inquisitive,  and  where  they 
have  not  been  molested  will  allow  any  unaccustomed  object — such  as  a  European  in  clothes — 
to  walk  to  within  easy  shot  of  them  before  running  off.  They  soon  gain  experience,  however; 
and  in  countries  where  they  have  been  most  persecuted  hartebeests  are  the  keenest-sighted 
and  the  most  wary  of  all  African  game.  They  are  very  fond  of  climbing  to  the  top  of  the 
large  ant-heaps  with  which  the  plains  of  Africa  are  profusely  studded,  and  from  this  point  of 
vantage  surveying  the  surrounding  country.  They  live,  I  believe,  entirely  upon  grass,  and 
in  the  desert  areas  of  their  range  seem  able  to  subsist  for  long  periods  without  drinking 
water.  Their  meat  I  have  always  thought  very  palatable.  They  are  generally  in  fairly  good 
condition,  though  they  seldom  carry  much  fat.  Their  fat,  after  being  melted,  becomes  solid 
again  immediately  on  cooling,  and  clogs  on  the  teeth  whilst  being  eaten.  But  very  few  African 
species,  except  the  eland,  ever  become  really  fat ;  their  life  is  too  active,  and  the  food-supply 
too  uncertain,  for  them  to  put  on  flesh  like  European  deer. 

239 


Photo  by  Miss  E  J.  Beck. 

BUBALINE  HARTEBEEST. 

A   small  species,  found  in  Syria  as  well  as  in 
North  Africa. 


240 


The    Living   Animals    of    the    World 


Photo  by  Percy  Askmden 
A  species 


BLESBOK. 


formerly   very  numerous  in   South   Africa,   but   now  -well-nigh 
exterminated. 


BONTEBOK   AND    BLESBOK   GROUP. 

Nearly  allied  to  the  hartebeests  are 
certain  other  anteloj.es,  of  which  it  will  be 
sufficient  to  mention  but  two  species  —  viz. 
the  BONTEEOK  and  the  BLESBOK.  These  two 
antelopes,  though  doubtless  distinct,  since 
their  points  of  difference  are  constant  and 
unvarying,  are  nevertheless  so  much  alike, 
and  evidently  so  closely  allied,  that  I  look 
upon  the  former  as  a  highly  coloured  and 
sjiecialised  race  of  the  latter.  The  blesbok 
once  had  a  far  wider  range  than  the 
bontebok,  and  ran  in  countless  herds  on 
the  plains  of  the  northern  districts  of  the 
Cape  Colony,  the  Orange  Biver  Colony,  the 
Transvaal,  Griqualand  West,  and  British 
Bechuanaland,  whilst  the  latter  animal  has 
always  been  confined  to  the  sandy  wastes 
in  the  neighbourhood  of  Cape  Agulhas,  the 
extreme  southern  point  of  Africa. 

I  think  it,  however,  not  improbable 
that  ages  ago  the  blesbok  ranged  right 
through  Cape  Colony  to  the  sea-shore,  and 
that  subsequently  the  gradual  desiccation 

of  the    south-western    portions   of  the   country  —  which   is    still    continuing  —  or    several  years  of 

continuous   drought,  caused   the  withdrawal  of  the  species  northwards  from   the  waterless  parts 

of  the  country.     Those,  however,  which  had  reached  the  neighbourhood  of  Cape  Agulhas,  where 

there  is  plenty  of  water,  would  have  remained  behind  and  formed  an  isolated  race,  which,  being 

influenced  by  local   conditions,   would   naturally  in   course   of  time   have  become  differentiated 

from  the  parent  stock.     Be  this  as  it  may,  the  bontebok  of  to-day  is  nothing  but  a  glorified 

blesbok,  being  slightly  larger  and 

more   richly    coloured    than    the 

latter  animal.     Its  horns,  too,  are 

always  black,  whilst  those  of  the 

blesbok   are   of   a   greenish   hue. 

When  they  are  in  good  condition, 

the   coats   of  both  these   species 

of    antelope,   as   well    as   of    the 

SASSABY,  another  member  of  this 

grouj),    show    a    beautiful    satiny 

sheen,     which    plays    over    their 

purple-brown   hides  like  shadows 

on  sunlit  water. 

The  few  bonteboks  which  still 

survive  are  now  all  preserved  on 

large   enclosed  farms;   but   their 

numbers  are  very  small  —  less  than 

300,  it  is  believed.     The  farmers 

of  Dutch   descent  now   do  their 

best   to   preserve  rare  species  on  WHITE-TAILED  GNU  AND  CALF. 

their   land.  This"  Wildebeest'  io  now  believed  to  be  practically  exterminated  as  a  wild  animal 


Photo  iy  /.  w. 


[Highbury. 


241 


Shotu  by  the  Duchess  of  Bedford] 

A  COW   BRINDLED   GNU. 

This  gnu,  which  is  still  found  in  great  numbers  in  Bast  Central  Africa,  indulges  in  the  same  curious  antics  as  the  white-tailed  species. 

THE  GNUS. 

These  remarkable  animals  were  once  distributed  throughout  the  greater  part  of  Africa  from 
the  Cape  to  Abyssinia,  and  their  range  is  even  now  very  extensive,  though  what  was  once  the 
most  numerous  and  the  most  eccentric-looking  species  of  the  group  has  almost  ceased  to  exist. 

The  gnus  are  of  large  size,  and  at  first  sight  appear  to  have  the  head  of  a  buffalo,  the 
tail  of  a  horse,  and  the  limbs  and  hoofs  of  an  antelope.  Their  heads  are  very  massive,  with 
broad  muzzles  and  widely  separated,  hairy  nostrils;  their  necks  are  maned,  tails  long  and 
bushy,  and  both  sexes  carry  horns.  They  are  known  as  "  wilde  beeste."  or  "  wild  cattle,"  to 
the  Dutch  colonists  of  South  Africa. 

The  WHITE-TAILED  GNU,  or  BLACK 
WILDEBEEST,  as  it  is  more  commonly  called, 
was  once  found  in  great  numbers  on  the 
karroos  of  Northern  Cape  Colony,  and  through- 
out the  vast  plains  of  the  Orange  River 
Colony,  Transvaal,  Griqualand  W^est,  and 
British  Bechuanaland.  Its  range,  in  fact, 
was  coequal  with  that  of  the  blesbok.  Even 
as  lately  as  in  1875  and  1876  I  personally 
saw  very  considerable  herds  of  these  quaint 
animals  in  the  Orange  River  Colony  and  the 
Western  Transvaal.  When  the  present  war 
broke  out  in  1899,  there  were  only  two 
herds  of  black  wildebeest  left  alive.  These 
animals  numbered  some  500  head  altogether, 
and  were  protected  by  Dutch  farmers.  There 

o  1 


Photo  by  MitsE.J.  Beck. 

RED-FLANKED  DUIKER. 

The  duikers  are  for  the  n)ost  p^rt  diminutive  and  graceful 
simple,  spike-like  homs. 


,  with 


242 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


are  probably  very  few  of  them  left  to-day,  and  it  is  scarcely  possible  that  this  most  interesting 
animal  will  long  escape  complete  extinction. 

Black  wildebeests,  before  they  had  been  much  persecuted,  were  so  inquisitive  that,  in  the 
words  of  Gordon  Gumming,  they  would  "  caper  and  gambol "  round  a  hunter's  waggon  or  any 
other  unusual  object,  and  sometimes  approach  to  within  a  couple  of  hundred  yards,  when, 
whisking  their  long  white  tails,  they  would  gallop  off  with  loud  snorts.  They  were  always, 
however,  very  keen-sighted,  and  soon  became  extremely  wary  and  almost  impossible  to  approach 
on  foot  in  the  open  plains  they  frequented,  whilst  their  powers  of  endurance  and  fleetness  of 
foot  were  such  that  they  could  only  be  overtaken  by  a  well-mounted  hunter.  In  spite  of 
these  advantages,  however,  the  value  of  their  skins,  and  the  ever-increasing  number  of  hunters, 
armed  with  long-range  rifles,  practically  brought  about  the  extermination  of  this  species  of  gnu 
in  a  few  decades. 

The  BRINDLED  GNU  is  a  larger  animal  than  the  last-named  species,  standing  4^  feet  and 
upwards  at  the  shoulder.  This  animal  once  ranged  from  the  Vaal  Kiver  northwards,  throughout 
Eastern  and  Central  Africa,  to  the  north  of  Kilimanjaro,  where  its  range  overlaps  that  of 
a  closely  allied  form,  the  WHITE-BEARDED  GNU,  which  is  only  found  in  certain  districts  of 
Eastern  Africa.  In  general  habits  these  two  varieties  seem  to  be  identical. 

In  the  interior  of  Southern  Africa,  both  north 
and  south  of  the  Zambesi,  I  have  met  with  very 
large  numbers  of  BLUE  WILDEBEESTS.  They  usually 
run  in  herds  of  from  ten  to  twenty  individuals,  but 
towards  the  end  of  the  dry  season  collect  in  droves  of 
200  or  300.  They  are  often  found  in  company  with 
zebras  and  sassaby  antelopes.  Their  flesh  resembles 
coarse  beef,  and,  to  my  thinking,  is  not  ill-flavoured. 

THE   SMALLER  BUCKS. 

In  addition  to  the  great  number  of  antelopes 
of  large  size  which  inhabit  the  African  Continent, 
there  are  also  very  many  small  species,  the  life 
'history  and  habits  of  some  of  which  are  as  yet 
but  imperfectly  known,  since  they  are  denizens  of 
dense  forests,  and  feed  principally  at  night. 

All  these  small  African  antelopes  are  divided  into 
two  sub-families.  The  first  comprises  the  African 
DUIKERS  and  the  Indian  FOUR-HORNED  ANTELOPE,  and 
the  second  the  DIK-DIKS,  ORIBIS,  KLIPSPRINGER,  and 
certain  other  small  bush-antelopes. 

The  African  duikers  are  distributed  throughout 
Africa  south  of  the  Sahara,  and  are  represented 
by  some  twenty  different  species,  the  largest  of 
which  approaches  a  small  donkey  in  size,  whilst  the 
smallest  is  not  much  larger  than  a  hare. 

The  majority  of  these  dainty  little  antelopes 
are  inhabitants  of  the  dense  tangled  forests  of  the 
coast-belts  of  Africa,  and  are  therefore  but  seldom 
seen  by  travellers  and  sportsmen.  One  species  of 
the  group,  however,  the  COMMON  DUIKER  of  South 
Africa,  is  a  very  well-known  animal.  This  little 
antelope  inhabits  much  more  open  country  than 
most  of  its  congeners,  and  has  an  enormous  range, 
extending  from  Cape  Agulhas  to  Somaliland,  whilst 


Photo  ly  Miss  E.  J.  Beck. 


KLIPSPRINGER. 

The  "  cliff-jumper  "  is  as  active  in  its  habits  as  a  chamois,  and 
is  found  in  most  of  the  mountain-ranges  of  Africa. 


Photo  by  G.  W.  Wilson  &  Co.,  Ltd,] 

SING-SING  WATERBUCK. 
The  sing-sing  and  its  relatives  differ  from  the  true  waterbuck  by  the  absence  of  the  white  elliptical  ring  on  the  rump. 

243 


[Aberdeen. 


244 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


Photo  by  IF.  P.  Dando"]  [Regent's  Park. 

MOUNTAIN  EEEDBUCK. 
One  of  a  group  of  small  antelopes  still  common  in  many  parts  of  Africa. 


two  very  nearly  allied  forms  are  found 
in  Senegal  and  Abyssinia  respectively. 
In  most  species  of  duikers  both 
sexes  are  horned,  but  in  the  case  of 
the  common  duiker  it  is  very  excep- 
tional to  find  a  female  with  horns, 
and  in  all  my  experience  I  have  only 
known  of  three  such  cases. 

The  FOUR-HORNED  ANTELOPE  is  the 
Indian  representative  of  the  African 
duikers,  and  is  found  along  the  foot 
of  the  Himalaya  from  the  Punjab  to 
Nepal,  and  in  suitable  localities  through- 
out the  peninsula  of  India.  It  frequents 
wooded  hills,  but  avoids  dense  jungle. 
Like  its  nearest  allies,  the  duikers,  it 
is  solitary  in  its  habits,  more  than 
two  of  these  antelopes  seldom  being 
seen  together.  The  growth  of  four  horns 
on  the  skull  of  this  antelope  and  on 

certain  breeds  of  domesticated  sheep  is  a  curious  fact  which  has  not  roused  as   much   comment 

as  it  deserves. 

THE  KLIPSPRINGER. 

Turning  to  the  second  sub-family,  we  may  select  the  KLIPSPRINGER  as  the  most  characteristic 
species  to  describe.  This  beautiful  little  animal,  which  is  often  called  the  African  Chamois,  is 
found  in  suitable  localities  from  the  Cape  to  Abyssinia.  In  the  southern  and  northern  portions 
of  its  range  the  klipspringer  is  an  inhabitant  only  of  rugged  mountain-ranges,  and  ascends 
to  a  height  of  9,000  or  10,000  feet  above  sea-level.  In  the  more  central  regions  of  its 
habitat,  however,  although  it  always  lives  amongst  rocks,  and  thoroughly  justifies  its  name 
of  "rock-jumper,"  it  is  often  found  in  regions  where  there  are  no  high  mountain-ranges.  It 
used  to  be  very  common  in  Matabililand,  both  in  the  Matopo  Hills  and  on  the  isolated 
granite  kopjes  which  are  so  numerous 
in  that  country,  and  usually  are 
not  more  than  200  or  300  feet  in 
height.  In  Mashonaland  I  have  found 
it  living  amongst  granite  rocks  in 
the  beds  of  the  larger  rivers,  and 
actually  on  the  same  level  as  the 
surrounding  country ;  whereas  on 
Wedza,  a  great  mountain-mass  of 
slate  and  ironstone,  which  rises  to 
a  height  of  about  2,000  feet  above 
the  surrounding  country,  and  to  the 
top  of  which  I  once  climbed,  I  did 
not  see  any  klipspringers.  The  hoofs 
of  this  little  animal  are  curiously 
different  from  those  of  any  other 
African  antelope,  being  remarkably 
short  and  small,  with  very  deep  

holloWS.          This       adaptation       to       its  Photo  ^  S.O.  Payne,  Aylesbury,  by  permission  of  the  Hon.  Walter  Rothschild. 

requirements  enables  the  klipspringer  MALE  IMPALA'  OR  PALLA' 

,  •.     .  PIII  i,  The  beautifully  curved  horns  of  the  male  palla  form  some  of  the  most  gracetul  or 

to  obtain   a  foothold    on    any  small  trophies. 


The    Antelopes 


245 


projecting  piece  of  rock,  and  to  climb  in  a  series  of  little  jumps  up  the  faces  of  cliffs  which 
seem  almost  perpendicular. 

In  height  the  klipspringer  stands  about  1  foot  9  inches  at  the  shoulder.  The  males  alone 
carry  horns,  which  are  straight  and  ringed  at  the  base,  and  vary  from  3  to  5  inches  in 
length.  The  coat  is  of  a  greeny  yellow-brown  colour,  with  the  hairs  hollow  and  brittle.  These 
little  animals  are  usually  met  with  singly,  or  in  twos  and  threes  together.  When  caught 
young,  they  become  wonderfully  tame,  and  make  the  most  charming  pets,  being  very  playful 
and  fond  of  jumping,  with  surprising  ease  and  grace,  from  the  floor  of  a  room  on  to  any 
elevated  position,  such  as  a  table,  mantelpiece,  or  window-sill. 

THE  WATERBUCKS. 

The  largest  animals  in  the  first  of  three  groups  now  to  be  considered  are  the  WATERBUCKS,. 
antelopes  of  stout  and  sturdy  build,  standing  from  45  to  50  inches  at  the  shoulder,  and  covered 
with   long,  coarse   hair,  especially  on  the  neck,  in  both    sexes.       The    males  alone   carry  horns, 
which  vary  from  20  to  36  inches   in  length,  and  are  strongly  ringed  in  front  for  three-fourths 
of  their  length.     They  are  sublyrate  in  shape,  being  first  inclined  backwards  and  then  forwards 
at  the  tips.     There  are  three  well-marked  species   of  waterbuck — viz.   the  COMMON  WATERBUCK 
of  South  Africa,  whose  range 
extends   from    the    Limpopo 
northwards,    through    Nyasa- 
land   to  German  and  British 
East   Africa,   and   to   the 
Shebeyli    Eiver,    in    Somali- 
land  ;  the  SING-SING  of  Senegal 
and  Gambia ;  and  the  DEFASSA 
WATERBUCK    of    Western 
Abyssinia  and  the  Nile  Valley, 
south  to  Uganda  and  British 
and  German  East  Africa.     In 
habits  all    species   of   water- 
buck  are  very  similar.    They 
live    generally,    though    not 
invariably,    in  herds  of  from 
ten  to  twenty  individuals,  and 
in  such  small  herds  there  is 

seldom  more  than  one  full-grown  male  present.  In  the  interior  of  South  Africa  the  waterbuck 
is  often  met  with  amongst  steep  stony  hills  and  at  a  distance  of  more  than  a  mile  from  the 
nearest  river.  Speaking  generally,  however,  this  antelope  may  be  said  to  frequent  the  near 
neighbourhood  of  water,  but  to  prefer  dry  to  swampy  ground.  When  chased  by  dogs  it  always 
makes  for  water,  and  will  plunge  fearlessly  into  broad,  deep  rivers,  regardless  of  crocodiles,  to 
which  ravenous  reptiles  it  sometimes  falls  a  victim.  In  South  Africa  waterbuck  vary  much  in 
colour  even  in  the  same  district,  some  being  reddish  brown,  whilst  others  are  of  a  very  dark 
grey.  The  flesh  of  the  waterbuck  is  coarse,  and  sometimes  rather  strongly  tasted,  and  when 
in  good  condition  the  fat  is  very  hard. 

The  REEDBUCKS  are  similar  in  essential  characters  to  the  waterbucks,  but  are  of 
smaller  size,  and  have  more  bushy  tails,  and  naked  spots  on  the  sides  of  the  head  beneath 
the  ears. 

Of  this  group  the  COMMON  REEDBUCK  of  South  Africa  is  the  best  known.  This  animal 
stands  3  feet  at  the  withers,  and  is  of  a  soft  greyish  fawn-colour,  with  a  large  fluffy  tail,  which 
is  always  thrown  up  when  the  animal  runs,  exposing  the  white  under-surface.  The  males  alone 
carry  horns,  which  curve  backwards  and  then  forwards,  and  attain  a  length  of  from  12  to  16 
inches.  Reedbucks  are  met  with  singly  or  in  twos  and  threes,  and  never  congregate  in  herds, 


Photo  by  S.  ff.  Payne,  Aylesbury,  by  permission 

MALE  SAIGA  ANTELOPES. 

These  antelopes  inhabit  the  Bast  Russian  steppes.     The  thick  woolly  coat  turns  nearly  white  in 

winter. 


246 


The    Living    Animals    of   the    World 


though  I  have  seen  as  many  as  eight,  belonging  probably  to  three  or  four  families,  feeding  in 
close  proximity  to  one  another  on  young  green  grass. 

Another  member  of  the  reedbuck  group  is  the  Eooi  EHEBUCK  of  South  Africa.  This 
latter  species,  though  a  much  smaller  animal,  is  very  similar  to  the  common  reedbuck  in 
colour,  shape,  and  general  appearance ;  it  is  quite  distinct  in  its  habits  and  mode  of  life,  as  it 
lives  in  small  herds  of  from  four  or  five  to  fifteen  head,  amongst  rugged  stony  hills,  often  far 
from  water. 

THE   BLACKBUCK   OF  INDIA. 

This  handsome  species  is  found  throughout  India  wherever  there  are  open  cultivated 
plains.  The  male  stands  about  32  inches  at  the  shoulder,  and  when  full  grown  is  of  a 
glossy  black  colour,  with  the  exception  of  a  chestnut-coloured  patch  at  the  back  of  the  neck, 
and  some  markings  of  the  same  colour  about  the  face.  The  belly  and  insides  of  the  limbs 
are  pure  white,  the  line  between  the  black  and  white  being  very  clearly  defined.  The  whole 
body  and  frame  are  very  compact,  strong,  and  beautifully  proportioned,  and  the  head  is  carried 


high.  The  males  alone 
in  shape,  annulated  almost  to 
from  18  to  28  inches.  Young 
coloured  instead  of  black, 
met  with  in  considerable 
cultivated  tracts  alternate  with 
much  damage  to  the  natives' 
first  execute  a  series  of  pro- 
before  finally  settling  down  to 
prisingly  fleet,  and  can  seldom 
greyhounds,  although  they 
down  without  difficulty  by 
are  often  called,  hunting- 
The  PALLA,  which  is 
Eastern  Africa  from  Bechuana- 
the  most  graceful  of  animals, 
and  is  never  found  far  from 
general  bright  reddish  brown, 
alone  carry  horns,  which  are 
vary  from  14  to  upwards  of 
finest  specimens  of  the  palla 
southerly  and  most  northerly 
animals  inhabiting  the  inter- 
and  carrying  shorter  horns, 
in  herds  of  from  twenty  to 
alarmed,  they  bound  over 


Photo  by  Miss  £.  J.  Beck. 

ARABIAN   GAZELLE 

Gazelles  are  some  of  the  most  slenderly  built 
of  all  antelopes. 


carry  horns,  which  are  spiral 
the  tips,  and  vary  in  length 
bucks  and  does  are  fawn- 
These  antelopes  are  usually 
herds  on  open  plains  in  which 
waste  land,  and  they  often  do 
crops.  When  alarmed,  they 
digious  bounds  into  the  air 
a  steady  run.  They  are  sur- 
be  overtaken  by  the  fastest 
can  be  caught  and  pulled 
trained  cheetas,  or,  as  they 
leopards. 

found  in  Southern  and 
land  to  Kordofan,  is  one  of 
It  is  a  forest-loving  species, 
water.  Both  sexes  are  of  a 
with  white  bellies.  The  males 
very  graceful  in  shape,  and 
20  inches  in  length.  The 
are  met  with  in  the  extreme 
portions  of  its  range,  the 
mediate  districts  being  smaller 
Pallas  are  gregarious,  living 
over  one  hundred.  When 
bushes  or  any  other  obstacles 


with  the  utmost  ease  and  grace,  and  appear  to  get  over  the  ground  at  a  high  rate  of  speed. 
They  are,  however,  very  commonly  run  down  and  torn  to  pieces  by  wild  dogs,  which  hunt  in 
packs,  and  are  very  destructive  to  African  game. 

Of  far  less  graceful  appearance  than  the  two  preceding  species  is  the  SAIGA,  which, 
though  structurally  closely  allied  to  the  gazelles,  has  been  placed  by  naturalists  in  a  genus 
by  itself. 

This  curious-looking  animal,  which  is  chiefly  remarkable  for  its  large  swollen-looking  nose 
and  light-coloured  horns,  is  an  inhabitant  of  the  steppes  of  South-eastern  Europe  and 
Western  Asia.  In  height  it  stands  about  30  inches  at  the  withers,  and  is  of  a  dull  yellowish 
colour  in  summer,  turning  to  nearly  white  in  winter.  The  males  alone  carry  horns,  which  are 
sometimes  13  or  14  inches  long,  and  of  a  peculiar  colour  which  has  been  likened  to  pale  amber. 


The    Antelopes 


247 


At  the  present  day  the  saiga  is  only  found  in  Europe  on  the  plains  between  the  Don 
and  the  Volga,  but  to  the  east  of  the  Ural  Kiver  its  range  extends  over  the  Kirghiz  Steppes 
and  the  high  plains  of  all  Western  Siberia.  Living  in  open  country,  and  having  the  senses  of 
hearing,  sight,  and  scent  all  highly  developed,  the  saiga  is  a  difficult  animal  to  approach,  and 
can  only  be  successfully  stalked  by  an  expert  hunter.  In  summer  it  is  usually  met  with  in 
small,  scattered  bands,  which,  when  driven  southwards  by  snow  and  cold,  are  collected  into 
considerable  herds  in  the  more  southerly  portions  of  its  range.  In  very  severe  winters  whole 
herds  have  been  known  to  perish  in  snow-drifts,  and  in  such  inclement  seasons  large  numbers 
are  also  killed  by  the  natives.  The  flesh  of  the  saiga  is  said  to  resemble  mutton,  and  is  held 
in  much  esteem. 

THE  G-AZELLES. 

We  now  come  to  the  Gazelles,  among  which  are  comprised  many  of  the  best  known 
and  most  beautiful  of  the  small  or  medium-sized  antelopes.  In  the  true  gazelles  both  sexes 
generally  carry  horns.  Indeed,  this  rule  is  universal  in  those  of  Africa  and  Arabia ;  and  there 


By  permission  of  fferr  Carl  Hagenbeck] 


GOITEED  GAZELLES  PROM  MESOPOTAMIA. 

These  animals  are  inhabitants  of  rocky  and  desert  ground.    They  are  often  kept  tame  by  the  wandering  Arabs. 


[Hamburg. 


are  only  four  species  known — all  Asiatic — in  which  the  females  are  hornless:  viz.  the  TIBETAN 
GAZELLE,  PREJEVALSKI'S  G-AZELLE,  the  MONGOLIAN  GAZELLE,  and  the  PERSIAN  GAZELLE. 

The  range  of  the  various  species  belonging  to  this  large  group  is  very  extensive,  comprising 
the  whole  of  Northern  and  Eastern  Africa,  Arabia,  and  Western  and  Central  Asia,  as  well  as 
Mongolia  and  India.  The  gazelles  are  inhabitants  of  the  open  plains  and  arid  desert  regions 
of  the  Old  World,  and,  although  sometimes  met  with  in  tracts  of  country  where  there  is  a 
certain  amount  of  scattered  bush  or  open  stunted  forest,  are  never  found  in  any  kind  of  jungle 
or  thick  cover. 

On  the  sandy  plains  of  North-western  Africa  are  found  the  BED-FRONTED  GAZELLE  of 
Senegal  and  Gambia ;  the  little-known  MHORR  GAZELLE  of  South-western  Morocco ;  and  the 
DAMA  GAZELLE,  a  species  which  has  been  known  to  naturalists  ever  since  the  time  of  Buffon. 
A  near  ally  of  the  last-named  animal  is  the  EED-NECKED  GAZELLE  of  Dongola  and  Senaar.  In 
North-eastern  Africa  are  found  the  large  and  handsome  SOEMMERRING'S  G-AZELLE;  the  ISABELLA 
GAZELLE,  of  the  coastlands  of  the  Eed  Sea ;  HEUGLIN'S  GAZELLE  ;  PELZELN'S  GAZELLE,  of  the 
maritime  plains  of  Northern  Somaliland ;  and  SPEKE'S  GAZELLE,  of  the  interior  of  the  same 
country;  whilst  farther  south  the  group  is  represented  by  the  large  and  beautiful  GRANT'S 


248 


The    Living    Animate    of    the    World 


ledland,  F.Z.S.'}  [Sortlt.  Fincldey. 

SPEKE'S  GAZELLE. 

Found  in  the  interior  of  Northern  Somaliland. 


GAZELLE,  with  its  allies  PETERS'S 
GAZELLE  and  THOMSON'S  GAZELLE.  The 
well-known  DORCAS  GAZELLE  is  an 
inhabitant  of  Morocco  and  Algeria, 
ranging  through  Egypt  into  Palestine 
and  Syria ;  the  MARICA  GAZELLE,  the 
MUSCAT  GAZELLE,  and  the  ARABIAN 
GAZELLE  inhabit  the  deserts  of  Arabia ; 
the  EDMI  GAZELLE  is  found  in  the 
mountain-ranges  of  Morocco,  Algeria, 
and  Tunis ;  while  LODER'S  GAZELLE 
inhabits  the  sandy  tracts  of  the  interior 
of  Algeria  and  Tunis.  In  Asia,  besides 
the  four  species  of  gazelle  already 
enumerated  in  which  the  females  are 
hornless,  one  other  member  of  the 
group  is  met  with.  This  is  the  INDIAN 
GAZELLE,  a  species  very  closely  allied  to 
the  Arabian  form. 
Of  the  whole  genus  GRANT'S  GAZELLE  is  the  most  beautiful.  This  handsome  animal,  which 

was  first  discovered  by  the  explorers   Speke  and   Grant  in    1860,  is  an  inhabitant  of  Eastern 

Africa,  from  the  neighbourhood  of  Lake  Kudolph   southwards  to  Ugogo.      In   size   the   average 

height  at  the  shoulder  of  males  of  this  species    is    about    34   inches.     The    coat    is    close    and 

short  and  of  a  general  fawn  colour,  the  rump  and  belly  pure  white,  and  the  face  marked  with 

a  rufous  band  from  the  horns  to  the  nose  and  with  streaks  of  white  on  each  side.     The  upper 

surface  of  the  tail  is  white,  with  a  black  and  tufted  tip.     The   horns,   which   are  very  elegant 

in  shape,  being  first  curved  slightly  forwards   and  then   backwards,  are  much  longer  and  more 

powerful  than  in  any  other  gazelle,  and  attain  a  length  of  30  inches  in  the  males  and  17  inches 

in  the  females. 

Grant's    gazelles,    though    they    undoubtedly    find    their    most    congenial    home    in    open 

country,   have   also  been   met   with    by  recent   travellers    in   bush-sprinkled   wastes  and   stony, 

rugged  hills.     They  are,  however,  never  found  in  dense  jungles  or  high  mountains.     They  live 

in  herds  of  from  half  a  dozen  to  twenty  or  thirty  individuals,  though  in  certain  localities  as 

many  as   200   have   been   seen  together.     They 

are  fond  of  consorting  with  other  game,  such  as 

Burchell's  and  Grevy's  zebras,  Coke's  hartebeest, 

and  the  beisa  oryx,  and  are   often   met  with   at 

long  distances    from   the    nearest   water.     They 

are   keen-sighted   and  wary,  and  from  the  open 

character    of    the    country   in    which    they    are 

usually  encountered  are  often  difficult  to  stalk. 

When  in  good  condition,  the  meat  of  this  gazelle 

is  said  to  be  excellent. 

The    nearest    ally    of   the   true    gazelles    is 

undoubtedly  the    SPRINGBUCK    of   South   Africa. 

Owing  to  the  protection  which   it   has   received 

of  late   years,  this   graceful   antelope   is   now   a 

common  animal  in  many  parts  of  South  Africa, 

and  in  the   north-western  portions   of  the  Cape 

Colony    still   sometimes    collects  into  prodigious         Photo  iy  w.  p.  Dando]  [Regent*  Park. 

herds,  which  travel  through  the  country  in  dense  GAZELLES  FROM  EGYPT. 

masses,    destroying    every  Vestige    of   graSS    On    the  Seen  in  great  numbers  when  our  troops  crossed  the  Bayuda  Desert. 


The    Antelopes 


249 


Photo  by  W.  P. 


[Regent's  Park. 


BED-FRONTED   GAZELLE. 
Inhabits  Dongola  and  Senaar. 


line  of  their  advance,  and  causing  considerable 
anxiety  to  farmers,  whose  flocks  of  sheep 
and  goats  are  sometimes  swept  away  by  the 
migrating  springbucks.  In  former  years  the 
migration  of  these  antelopes  in  countless 
thousands  from  the  deserts  of  Namaqualand 
to  the  countries  farther  south  was  a  common 
occurrence,  an  unerring  instinct  guiding  the 
wandering  herds  to  districts  where  rain  had 
lately  fallen  and  caused  a  new  growth  of 
green  grass.  The  animals  composing  these 
migrating  herds  were  called  by  the  Dutch 
settlers  of  the  Cape  Colony  "  Trekbokken,"  or 
"  travelling-bucks." 

Two  other  antelopes,  the  DIBATAG  and 
the  GERENUK,  are  included  in  the  present 
group;  but  both,  whilst  typically  gazelline 
in  certain  respects,  differ  so  much  in  other 
ways  from  all  members  of  that  group  that 
each  has  been  placed  in  a  separate  genus. 

The  DIBATAG  is  a  very  remarkable- 
looking  antelope,  only  found  in  certain 

districts  of  Central  Somaliland,  where  it  was  first  discovered  by  Mr.  T.  W.  H.  Clarke  in  1890. 
This  species  shows  the  face-markings  of  the  gazelles,  whilst  the  horns,  which  are  only  present 
in  the  males,  much  resemble  in  shape  those  of  a  reedbuck.  They  are  rather  short,  attaining 
a  length  of  only  11  or  12  inches,  and  their  basal  halves  are  strongly  ringed  in  front. 
The  neck  of  this  antelope  is  singularly  long  and  thin,  and  the  tail,  which  is  held  curved 
forwards  over  the  back  when  the  animal  is  in  motion,  is  also  much  elongated,  and  only  tufted 
at  the  tip.  The  dibatag  frequents  sandy  ground  sparsely  covered  with  low  thorn-bushes, 
and  lives  in  small  families,  being  usually  met 
with  in  twos  or  threes,  whilst  it  is  rare 
to  find  more  than  four  or  five  consorting 
together. 

The  GERENUK,  like  the  last-named  animal, 
is  an  East  African  species,  but  has  a 
more  extended  range,  being  found  all  over 
Somaliland,  and  thence  southwards  to  the 
Tana  Valley  and  the  Kilimanjaro  district  of 
British  East  Africa.  The  most  remarkable 
external  characteristic  of  this  species  is  the 
excessively  long  neck.  The  males  alone 
carry  horns,  which  attain  an  average  length 
of  12  or  13  inches,  and,  though  somewhat 
gazelle-like  in  shape,  are  more  strongly 
crooked  forwards  at  the  points.  The  skull 
of  this  species  is  more  dense  and  solid  in 
structure  than  in  the  true  gazelles,  and  the 
•cheek-teeth  are  smaller  in  size. 

Coming  now  to  the  Sable  Antelope 
group,  we  find  an  assemblage  of  antelopes 
which  are  all  of  large  size  and  handsome 
appearance,  and  in  all  of  which  both  the 


Photo  by  W.  P.  Dando] 


RED-FRONTED   GAZELLE. 

Another  view  of  the  specimen  shown  above. 


32 


250 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


Photo  by  Percy  Ashenden] 


[Cape  Town. 


MALE   SPRINGBUCK. 


Once  the  most  numerous  species  in  South  Africa,  where  it  is  still  not  uncommon.      Its  migrations,  or  "treks,"  at  certain  seasons  were  one 

of  the  sights  of  the  veldt. 

males  and  females  are  horned.  With  the  single  exception  of  the  BEATRIX  ORYX,  which 
inhabits  Arabia,  all  these  antelopes  are  denizens  of  Africa.  One  species  of  the  group,  the 
BLUEBUCK,  which  appears  to  have  been  entirely  confined  to  the  mountainous  districts  of  the 
Cape  Peninsula,  became  extinct  during  the  first  decade  of  the  last  century.  Little  is  known 
as  to  the  life  history  of  this  animal,  but  it  was  undoubtedly  nearly  allied  to  the  larger  and 
more  handsomely  marked  KOAN  ANTELOPE.  This  latter  animal  once  had  a  more  extensive 
range  than  any  other  antelope,  as  it  was  found  in  almost  every  part  of  Africa  south  of 
the  Sahara,  with  the  exception  of  the  Congo  forest  region.  It  has  now  been  exterminated 
in  the  more  southerly  portions  of  the  country,  but  from  the  Limpopo  to  the  Upper  Nile, 
and  thence  to  the  Niger,  it  is  still  to  be  found  wherever  the  surroundings  are  suitable  to  its 
requirements. 

A  large  bull  roan  antelope  will  stand  4  feet  9  inches  at  the  withers.  The  general  colour 
of  the  body  differs  in  individuals,  even  in  the  same  district,  varying  from  a  very  light  shade 
of  brown  to  dark  grey  or  red-roan.  The  front  and  sides  of  the  face  are  jet-black  in  the  adult 
male,  and  dark  reddish  brown  in  the  female,  with  two  long  white  tufts  of  hair  under  the 
eyes.  The  muzzle  and  extremity  of  the  lower  jaw  are  white.  The  hair  on  the  under  side  of 
the  neck  is  long  and  coarse,  and  a  stiff  mane  about  3  inches  in  length  runs  from  behind 
the  ears  to  the  withers.  The  ears  are  very  long,  and  in  the  females  and  young  males 
tufted.  The  horns  are  curved  backwards,  and  in  the  male  are  very  stout  and  strong,  attaining 


The    Antelopes 


251 


a   length   of  from  26  to  34   inches.     In  the   female   the    horns    are  shorter   and    slighter,    and 
not  so  strongly  ringed. 

Eoan  antelope  are  usually  met  with  in  small  herds  of  from  six  to  a  dozen  members,  and 
never  congregate  in  large  numbers.  I  do  not  think  I  have  ever  counted  as  many  as  thirty 
together.  I  have  found  them  fairly  common  in  certain  districts,  but  nowhere  very  plentiful. 
They  frequent  open  plains  and  thinly  forested  country,  and  are  never  found  far  away  from  water. 
Bucks  often  become  savage  when  wounded,  and  will  sometimes  charge  viciously  if  approached 
incautiously.  They  can  use  their  horns  with  great  dexterity,  and  play  havoc  with  a  pack  of  dogs. 

The  SABLE  ANTELOPE,  though  considerably  smaller  than  the  roan,  is  yet  a  handsomer 
animal.  In  colour  the  adult  male,  when  in  high  condition,  is  jet-black  all  over  with  the 
exception  of  the  white  face-markings  and  the  snow-white  of  the  belly  and  insides  of  the 
thighs.  The  mane  is  longer  and  more  bushy  than  in  the  roan  antelope,  and  often  hangs  down 
on  either  side  over  the  withers.  The  horns,  too,  are  much  finer,  and,  sweeping  backwards 
in  a  bold  curve,  are  commonly  upwards  of  42  inches  long,  and  have  been  known  to  reach 
50  inches.  The  striking  colour,  large  size,  and  horns  of  this  creature  make  it  one  of  the 
most-prized  trophies  of  the  sportsman.  The  skin,  when  prepared  and  laid  down  as  a  rug 
in  halls  or  dwelling-rooms,  is  far  more  handsome  than  that  of  any  deer.  The  female  of  this 
species  is  usually  of  a  rich 
red-brown  in  colour  instead 
of  black  as  in  the  male. 
South  of  the  Zambesi,  how- 
ever, old  cows  become  almost 
absolutely  black.  North  of 
the  Zambesi  both  male  and 
female  sable  antelopes  are 
dark  red  in  colour  rather 
than  black.  The  horns  in 
the  female  are  slighter  and 
less  curved  than  in  the 
male,  and  are  also  consider- 
ably shorter,  as  a  rule  not 
measuring  over  30  inches  in 
length. 

The  range  of  the  sable 
antelope  extends  from  the 
northern  districts  of  the 
Transvaal  to  German  East 
Africa.  In  the  country  be- 
tween the  Limpopo  and  the 
Central  Zambesi  it  used  to 
be  a  very  common  animal, 
especially  in  the  northern 
districts  of  Mashonaland.  It 
is  partial  to  open  forests 
intersected  by  grassy,  well- 
watered  glades,  and  is  never 
found  on  open  plains  entirely 
devoid  of  bush.  It  is  usually 
met  with  in  herds  of  from 
twelve  to  twenty  individuals, 
but  I  have  often  seen  as 
many  as  fifty,  and  once 


Photo  ly  S.  G.  Payne,  Aylesbury,  by  permission  of  the  Hon.  Walter  Rothschild. 

SABLE  ANTELOPE. 

A  near  ally  of  the  Boan  Antelope,  from  which  it  is  broadly  distinguished  by  its  striking  colora- 
tion— black  and  white. 


252 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


Photo  by  the  Duchea  of  Bedford} 


[  Woburn  Abbey. 


KOAN  ANTELOPE. 


In  common  with  the  Sable  Antelope  and  the  Oryx  group,  both  sexes  of  this  species  carry 

horns. 


had  four  valuable  hounds 
killed  and  four  others 
grievously  wounded  by  one 
of  these  animals  in  less  than 
a  minute.  I  once  knew  a 
native  hunter  who  was  stabbed 
through  the  kidneys  and 
killed  by  a  sable  antelope  cow. 
The  nearest  allies  of  the 
sable  and  roan  antelopes  are 
the  various  species  of  the 
genus  Oryx.  In  this  group 
are  included  the  WHITE  ORYX, 
which  inhabits  the  desert 
regions  of  the  interior  of 
Northern  Africa  from  Dongola 
to  Senegal ;  the  BEATRIX 
ORYX  of  Southern  Arabia ; 
the  G-EMSBUCK  of  South- 
western Africa ;  the  BEISA,. 
which  is  found  in  North-east 
Africa  from  Suakim  south- 
wards to  the  river  Tana  ;  and 
the  TUFTED  BEISA,  which  is 


counted  between  seventy  and 
eighty  together.  However  large 
a  herd  of  sable  antelopes  may 
be,  it  is  very  exceptional  to 
find  with  it  more  than  one  fully 
adult  male,  from  which  fact  I 
should  judge  that  these  animals 
are  of  a  very  jealous  and 
pugnacious  disposition.  ^  When 
wounded  and  brought  to  bay  by 
dogs,  a  sable  antelope  defends 
itself  with  the  utmost  fury, 
using  its  long  scimitar-shaped 
horns  with  most  wonderful  quick- 
ness and  dexterity.  If  badly 
wounded  it  will  lie  down,  other- 
wise it  fights  standing.  Keeping 
its  face  to  some  of  its  foes,  with 
a  sideways  twist  of  its  head 
it  will  transfix  and  throw  into 
the  air  any  dog  which  attempts 
to  attack  it  from  behind.  I 
have  seen  a  wounded  sable 
antelope,  when  lying  down, 
drive  one  of  its  horns  clean 
through  a  large  dog  deep  into 
its  own  haunch,  and  I  have 


Photo  by  Norman  B.  Smith,  Esq.] 

MALE  OP  GRANT'S  GAZELLE. 

This  fine  East  African  species  is  one  of  the  handsomest  of  its  kind. 


The    Antelopes 


253 


very  nearly  related  to  the  last-named  species,  whose  place  it  takes  south  of  the  Tana  River  in 
certain  districts  of  British  and  German  East  Africa.  In  general  appearance  there  is  a  strong 
family  resemblance  between  the  different  species  of  oryx.  In  all  of  them  both  sexes  carry 
horns,  which  are  considerably  longer,  though  somewhat  slighter,  in  the  females  than  in  the 
males.  In  the  white  oryx  the  horns  are  curved  backwards ;  but  in  the  other  four  species  they 
are  straight,  or  nearly  so.  In  all  the  faces  are  conspicuously  banded  with  black  and  white, 
and  the  tails  long,  with  large  dark  terminal  brushes.  The  two  most  desert-loving  species,  the 
white  and  the  Beatrix  oryx,  are  paler  in  general  body-colour  than  the  other  three,  and 
the  latter  animal  is  considerably  smaller  than  any  other  member  of  the  group,  standing  not 
more  than  35  inches  at  the  withers.  The  gemsbuck  is  the  largest  and  undoubtedly  the 
handsomest  of  the  group,  standing  4  feet  at  the  shoulders ;  the  horns  of  the  females  are 
often  upwards  of  40  inches  long,  and  have  been  known  to  attain  a  length  of  48  inches. 

In  habits  ail  species  of  oryx  seem  to  be  very  similar.  They  are  denizens  of  the  arid  sun- 
scorched  plains  of  Africa,  which  are  not  necessarily  devoid  of  all  kind  of  vegetation,  but  are 
often  covered  with  stunted  bush,  and  carry  a  plentiful  crop  of  coarse  grass  after  rain.  Oryx 
usually  run  in  herds  of 
from  four  or  five  to  fifteen 
or  twenty,  though  the 
beisa,  the  most  abundant 
of  the  group,  has  been 
met  with  in  troops 
numbering  400  or  500 
head.  All  the  oryx  are 
shy  and  wary,  and  in  the 
open  country  they  usually 
frequent  are  difficult  to 
approach  on  foot.  If 
pursued  on  horseback, 
they  run  at  a  steady 
gallop,  which  they  can 
maintain  for  long 
distances,  swinging  their 
bushy  black  tails  from 
side  to  side,  and  holding 
their  heads  in  such  a 
way  that  their  long 
straight  horns  are  only 

sloped  slightly  backwards.  Fleet  and  enduring,  however,  as  oryx  undoubtedly  are,  I  am  of 
opinion  that  in  these  respects  the  gemsbuck  of  South  Africa,  at  any  rate,  is  inferior  to  all 
other  large  antelopes  living  in  the  same  country,  with  the  single  exception  of  the  eland.  I 
have  often,  when  mounted  on  a  fast  horse,  galloped  right  up  to  herds  of  gemsbuck,  and  on 
two  occasions  have  run  antelopes  of  this  species  to  an  absolute  standstill.  Oryx  of  all 
species  should  be  approached  with  caution  when  badly  wounded,  as  they  are  liable  to  make 
short  rushes,  and  can  use  their  horns  with  great  effect. 

Nearly  related  to  the  antelopes  of  the  Oryx  group  in  many  essential  characteristics,  yet  at 
once  distinguishable  by  its  spiral  horns  and  broad  reindeer-like  feet,  the  desert-haunting  ADDAX 
has  been  placed  in  a  separate  genus,  of  which  it  is  the  sole  representative. 

This  remarkable  animal  stands  about  38  inches  in  height  at  the  withers,  and  varies  in 
general  colour  at  different  seasons  of  the  year,  from  brownish  grey  to  a  reddish  hue.  The 
forehead  is  covered  with  a  thick  growth  of  bushy  black  hair,  beneath  which  there  is  a  patch 
of  white  extending  across  the  nose  to  under  the  eyes.  The  hindquarters,  tail,  and  legs 
are  white.  The  horns  are  spiral,  aiid  are  present  in  both  sexes.  In  the  male  they  attain 


GROUP  OF   BEISA   ORYX. 

This  most  interesting  photograph,  taken  by  Lord  Delamere,  shows  a  group  of  these  fine  antelopes  on  the 

Bast  African  plains. 


254 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


r 


Photo  by  S:G.  Payne,  Aylesbury,  by  permission  of  the  Hon.  Walter  Rothschild. 

WHITE  ORYX. 
Found  in  Northern  Africa  from  Dongola  to  Senegal. 


a  length  of  about  28  inches  in 
a  straight  line,  and  about  36 
inches  following  the  spiral.  In 
the  female  they  are  thinner  and 
less  spirally  curved.  The  addax 
is  confined  to  the  desert  regions 
of  Northern  Africa  from  Dongola 
to  Senegal,  and  the  broad,  rounded 
hoofs,  so  unlike  those  of  any 
other  antelope,  would  seem  to 
show  that  it  inhabits  countries 
where  the  soil  is  deep,  soft 
sand. 

Very  little  is  known  of  the 
life  history  or  habits  of  this 
antelope.  It  is  said  to  associate 
in  pairs  or  small  herds,  and  to 
be  entirely  independent  of  water, 
though  it  travels  great  distances 
over  the  desert  in  the  track  of 
thunder-storms  for  the  sake  of 
the  young  herbage  which  grows 
so  quickly  wherever  rain  falls  in 

those    thirsty    regions.      It    is    killed    in   considerable    numbers   by   the    Arabs  for    the    sake 

of   its    flesh    and    hide,    and    is    either    stalked    or   hunted    on    horseback,   with   the   help   of 

greyhounds,  by  Europeans. 

The  last  of  the  sub-families  into  which  modern 

naturalists    have    divided     the    antelopes    of    the 

world    comprises   some   of   the   handsomest   species 

of  the  whole   group,   and  includes   the   largest  of 

all    antelopes,    the    Eland,    as   well   as   such    small 

and  beautifully  marked  creatures   as  the  Harnessed 

Bushbucks. 

With     one     exception  —  the    Nilgai — all     the 

members   of  this   sub-family    are    denizens   of   the 

great  African  Continent. 

The  NILGAI,  or  BLUE   BULL,  is   an  inhabitant 

of  India,  and  is  found  throughout  the  greater  portion 

of  the   peninsula,   from   the  base  of  the  Himalaya 

to  the  south  of  Mysore.     It  is  an  animal  of  large 

size,  standing  about  4  feet  6  inches  at  the  shoulder. 

In  general  colour  the  male  is  of  a   dark  iron-grey, 

the  female  tawny  fawn.     White  spots  on  the  cheeks 

and  just  above  the  hoofs  on  the  fore  and  hind  feet 

are  the  outward  signs  of  its  affinity  to  the  African 

harnessed  antelopes.     The  male  alone  carries  horns, 

which  are  nearly  straight  and  very  small  for  the 

size  of  the   animal,    rarely   exceeding   9   inches   in 

length. 

Passing  now   to   the   Harnessed   Antelopes    of 

Africa,  our  attention  is  first   claimed  by  the  BUSH- 
BUCKS.        Excluding    the    Inyala    and    the    Broad- 


Photo  by  W.  P.  Dando] 

BEISA  OKYX. 


[Regents  Park. 


The  beisa  is  found  in  North-east  Africa  ;  by  some  it  is  believed 
to  have  suggested  the  original  idea  of  the  unicorn. 


The    Antelopes 


255 


horned  Antelope,  we  find 
several  forms  of  the  smaller 
bushbucks  recognised  by 
naturalists :  viz.  the 
HARNESSED  ANTELOPE  of  the 
forest  regions  of  Western 
Africa;  the  CAPE  BUSHBUCK 
of  South  Africa ;  CuMMlNG's 
BUSHBUCK  of  Eastern  Africa; 
and  the  DECULA  BUSHBUCK  of 
Abyssinia.  The  various  forms 
of  bushbuck  vary  in  general 
colour  from  very  dark  brown 
to  various  shades  of  grey- 
brown,  yellow-brown,  and  rich 
red.  In  all  species  the  young 
are  more  or  less  striped  and 
spotted ;  but  whereas  in  some 
forms  the  adult  animals  lose 
their  stripes  and  spots  almost 
entirely,  in  others  the  adults 
are  more  richly  marked  than 
immature  specimens.  For  my 
part,  I  am  inclined  to  believe 
that,  if  large  series  of  bush- 
buck-skins  were  collected 
from  every  district  through- 
out Africa,  it  would  be  found 
that  all  the  varieties  of  this 
animal  at  present  accepted 
as  distinct  species  would  be 
found  to  grade  into  one 
another  in  such  a  way  that 
only  one  true  species  could 
be  recognised. 

The  bushbucks  vary  in  height  at  the  shoulder  from  28  inches  to  33  inches,  and  only  the 
males  carry  horns,  which  are  nearly  straight,  with  a  close  spiral  twist,  and  measure  in  adult 
animals  from  10  inches  to  18  inches  in  length. 

Bushbucks  are  not  found  in  open  country,  but  live  in  forest  or  thick  bush  near  the 
bank  of  a  river,  stream,  or  lake,  and  are  never  met  with  far  from  water.  They  are  very 
partial  to  wooded  ravines  amongst  broken,  mountainous  country,  provided  such  districts  are  well 
watered ;  and  are  very  solitary  in  their  habits,  both  males  and  females  being  usually  found 
alone,  though  the  latter  are  often  accompanied  by  a  kid  or  half-grown  animal.  They  are  shy 
and  retiring,  and  should  be  looked  for  between  daylight  and  sunrise,  or  late  in  the  evening,  as 
they  are  very  nocturnal  in  their  habits,  and  lie  concealed  in  long  grass  or  thick  bush  during  the 
heat  of  the  day.  Their  call  resembles  the  bark  of  a  dog,  and  may  often  be  heard  at  nights. 

The  BROAD-HORNED  ANTELOPE  is  only  found  in  the  forests  of  the  West  African  coast  range, 
from  Liberia  to  Gaboon.  The  male  of  this  species  is  a  very  handsome  animal,  standing  about 
43  inches  at  the  Withers,  and  is  a  bright  chestnut-red  in  general  colour,  with  a  white  spinal 
stripe  extending  from  the  withers  to  the  root  of  the  tail,  and  fourteen  or  fifteen  white  stripes 
on  the  shoulders,  flanks,  and  hindquarters.  The  ears  are  large  and  rounded,  and  the  horns  very 
massive,  and  about  30  inches  in  length,  measured  over  the  single  spiral  twist.  There  are  two  or 


Plioto  by  S.  Q.  Payne,  Ayivsbwry,  by  permission  of  the  Hon.  Walter  Kotlvtchild. 

GERENUK. 
A  gazelle:ttke  antelope  with  long  neck  and  legs,  inhabiting  Xorth-east  Africa. 


256 


FEMALE  NILGAI. 
The  largest  of  the  antelopes  of  India,  and  a  distant  cousin  of  the  Kudu. 

horns,  which  are  only  present  in  the  male, 
attain  a  length  of  about  2  feet  in  a  straight 
line,  and  30  inches  along  their  spiral  curve. 
The  standing  height  at  the.  shoulder  of  males 
of  this  species  is  about  42  inches. 

This  most  beautiful  antelope  has  a  very 
restricted  range,  being  only  found  in  a  narrow 
belt  of  coastland  extending  from  St.  Lucia  Bay 
to  the  Sabi  River,  in  South-east  Africa,  and  in 
a  still  smaller  area  in  the  neighbourhood  of  the 
Upper  Shiri  Kiver,  in  British  Central  Africa. 

Before  the  acquisition  of  firearms  by  the 
natives  in  South-east  Africa,  the  inyala  was  very 
plentiful  in  Northern  Zululand  and  Amatonga- 
land,  and  was  then  to  be  met  with  in  herds  of 
from  ten  to  twenty  individuals ;  whilst  the  males, 
which  at  certain  seasons  of  the  year  separated 
from  the  females,  were  in  the  habit  of  consorting 
together  in  bands  of  from  five  to  eight.  Constant 
persecution  by  the  natives  in  Amatongaland  and 
the  countries  farther  north  very  much  reduced 
the  numbers  of  inyalas  in  those  districts  a  long 
time  ago ;  but  in  Zululand,  where  this  animal 
has  been  strictly  protected  by  the  British 
authorities  for  the  last  twenty  years,  it  was  still 
plentiful  up  to  1896,  when  the  rinderpest  swept 
over  the  country,  and  committed  such  sad 


three  large  white  spots  on  the  cheeks,  and  a 
broad  white  arrow-shaped  mark  across  the  nose 
below  the  eyes.  The  female  is  similar  in 
coloration  to  the  male,  but  smaller  and  hornless. 

Little  or  nothing  is  known  as  to  the 
habits  of  this  very  beautiful  antelope.  Du 
Chaillu,  who  met  with  it  in  the  interior  of 
Gaboon  between  1856  and  1859,  says  that  it 
is  "very  shy,  swift  of  foot,  and  exceedingly 
graceful  in  its  motions " ;  but  he  does  not 
tell  us  whether  it  lives  in  pairs  like  the 
bushbucks,  or  in  small  herds  like  some  of  its 
other  near  allies. 

The  INYALA  is  another  bush-loving  ante- 
lope closely  allied  to  the  bushbucks.  In  this 
species  the  general  colour  of  the  adult  male 
is  a  deep  dark  grey,  that  of  the  female  and 
young  male  bright  yellow-red,  and  both  sexes 
are  beautifully  striped  with  narrow  white 
bands  on  the  body  and  haunches.  In  the 
male  long  dark  hair  hangs  from  the  throat, 
chest,  and  each  side  of  the  belly,  and  fringes 
the  front  of  the  thigh  almost  to  the  hock, 
and  the  back  of  it  up  to  the  root  of  the 
tail.  The  ears  are  large  and  rounded ;  and  the 


Photo  by  York  0:  Son] 


[Kottwg  Hill. 


ADDAX. 


Unfortunately,  the  specimen  from  which  this  photograph  was  taken 
had  lost  its  splendid  spiral  horns. 


Photo  by  York  &  Son,  Netting  Hill. 


NORTHERN     GIRAFFE. 


Two  distinct  types  of  Giraffe  exist ;  the  northern  form,  which  has  a  large  third  horn,  may  be  described  as  a 

chocolate-coloured  animal  marked  with  a  network  of  fine  buff  lines  ;  the  southern  form,  in  which 

the  third  horn  is  small,  is  fawn  coloured  with  irregular  brown  blotches. 


The    Antelopes 


257 


ravages  amongst  all  the  tragelaphine  antelopes  that  it  is  to  be  feared  the  inyala  can  now  no 
longer  be  found  anywhere  in  any  considerable  numbers.  Where  I  met  with  these  antelopes 
some  years  ago,  in  the  country  to  the  south  of  Delagoa  Bay,  I  found  them  living  either  alone 
or  in  pairs  like  bushbucks.  They  frequented  dense  thickets  in  the  immediate  neighbourhood 
of  a  river  or  lagoon,  and  I  never  saw  one  in  anything  like  open  country  or  far  away  from 
water.  Their  tracks  showed  me  that  at  night  they  were  accustomed  to  feed  in  open  spaces  in 
the  bush,  but  they  always  retired  to  the  jungle  again  at  daylight,  as  they  had  become  very 
wary  and  cunning  through  constant  persecution  at  the  hands  of  the  natives. 

Closely  allied  to  the  bush-antelopes  of  the  present  group  are  the  swamp-haunting  SITATUNGAS. 
Three  species  of  these  have  been  described, — one  from  East  Africa,  named  after  Captain  Speke ; 
another  from  tropical  West  Africa ;  and  a  third  from  Lake  Ngami  and  the  Chobi  River,  named 
after  the  present  writer. 

There  is  very  little  difference  between  the  adult  males  of  these  three  species,  except  that 
in  the  West  African  form  the  coat  is  of  a  darker  colour  than  in  the  other  two.  The  main 
difference  consists  in  the  fact  that, 
whereas  the  female  of  Selous'  sitatunga 
is  light  brown  in  colour  like  the  male, 
and  the  newly  born  young  are  very 
dark  blackish  brown  (the  colour  of  a 
mole),  beautifully  striped  and  spotted 
with  pale  yellow,  the  female  and  young 
of  the  other  two  forms  are  red  in 
ground-colour,  with  white  spots  and 
stripes.  However,  personally  I  am  of 
opinion  that  there  is  only  one  true 
species  of  sitatunga  in  all  Africa, 
and  that  the  differences  between  the 
various  forms  are  superficial,  and 
would  be  found  to  grade  one  into  the 
other,  if  a  sufficiently  large  series  of 
skins  of  all  ages  and  both  sexes  could 
be  gathered  together  from  all  parts 
of  the  continent.  In  the  Barotse 
Valley,  on  the  Upper  Zambesi,  my 
friend  Major  K.  T.  Coryndon  informs 
me  that  both  red  and  brown  female 
-sitatungas  are  met  with.  On  the 
Lower  Chobi  and  Lake  Ngami  region 

the  females  are  never  red,  but  always  of  the  same  brown  colour  as  the  males,  whilst  on  the 
Congo  all  the  females  are  red. 

The  male  sitatunga  stands  about  3  feet  6  inches  at  the  shoulder,  and  varies  in  general 
colour  in  different  localities  from  light  to  dark  brown.  The  adult  females  are  either  red  with 
a  few  faint  stripes  and  spots,  or  light  brown,  only  retaining  very  faint  traces  of  any  stripes  or 
spots.  The  young  are,  both  in  tropical  West  and  Central  East  Africa,  red,  striped,  and  spotted 
with  white ;  but  in  South-west  Africa  dark  blackish  brown,  with  spots  and  stripes  of  yellowish 
white.  The  hoofs  are  excessively  long,  and  the  skin  which  covers  the  back  of  the  pastern  is 
hairless,  and  of  a  very  thick  and  horny  consistency.  The  males  alone  carry  horns,  which  are  of 
the  same  character  as  in  the  iriyala,  but  more  spiral  and  longer,  having  been  known  to  attain 
&  length  of  28  inches  in  a  straight  line  and  35  inches  over  the  curve. 

The  sitatunga  is  an  inhabitant  of  the  extensive  swamps  which  exist  in  many  parts  of  the 
interior  of  Africa.  It  may  be  said  to  live  in  the  water,  as  it  passes  its  life  in  flooded  beds  of 
ceeds  and  papyrus,  into  the  muddy  bottoms  of  which  its  long  hoofs,  when  splayed  out,  prevent 

33 


Photo  by  Mr.  W.  Rau] 

A   PAIR  OP  YOUNG   PROXGBUCKS. 


[Philadelphia. 


From  the  fact  that  the  horns  of   the  males  are  annually  shed,  the  prongbuck  is 
assigned  to  a  group  apart  from  the  Antelopes. 


258 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


Photo  ly  the  Duchess  of  Bedford] 


FEMALE  GORAL. 


[Woburn  Abbey. 


The  goral  is  a  Himalayan  antelope,  with  somewhat  the  habits  of  a  chamois. 


it      from     sinking. 

When  forced  out  into 

dry  ground   by  heavy 

floods,    the    formation 

of  its  feet  so   hinders 

it  in  running  that   it 

can  be  overtaken  and 

speared    by    a    native 

on     foot.         I     was 

informed     by     the 

natives   on  the  Chobi 

River  that,  when  the 

floods    enabled     them 

to  paddle  their  canoes 

through  the  reed-beds, 

they  often  killed  con- 
siderable   numbers   of 

the  sitatungas.    These 

animals,     they      said, 

when  they  saw  a  canoe 

approaching,        would 

often  not  attempt  to 

seek   safety  by  flight,  but  would  sink  down  in   the  water,  submerging  their  whole  bodies,  and 

leaving  only  their  nostrils  above  the  surface,  and  in  this  position  were  easily  speared. 

The  sitatunga  is  not  gregarious,  but  is  met  with    singly  or   in   pairs.      The    hair    is    long, 

but  soft  and  silky;  and  the  skins  are  much  sought  after  by  the  natives  for  blankets. 

In  addition  to  the  bushbucks  and  sitatungas,  two  more    very  notable  spiral-horned  African 

antelopes  remain  to  be  mentioned — namely,  the  GREATER  KUDU  and  the  LESSER  KUDU. 

The  GREATER  KUDU  is  one  of  the  most  magnificent-looking  of  the  whole  family  of  antelopes, 

and  is  an  animal  of 
large  size,  an  adult 
male  standing  4  feet 
9  inches  and  upwards 
at  the  withers.  The 
general  colour  of  this 
species  is  light  brown 
to  dark  grey,  the  old 
males  looking  much 
darker  than  females 
or  younger  animals, 
because  the  scanti- 
ness of  their  coats 
shows  the  dark  colour 
of  the  skin  beneath. 
On  each  side  of  the 
body  and  hind- 
quarters there  are 
several  white  stripes, 
which  vary  in  number 
from  four  to  eight  or 
nine.  As  in  all  this 
group  of  antelopes, 


Photo  by  W.  P.  Dfindo] 


[Regent's  Park. 


HARXESSED   ANTELOPE. 


A  very  beautiful  species,  in  which  the  pround-colour  of  the  coat  is  a  rich  chestnut,  while  the  spots  and  stripes 

are  pure  white. 


The    Antelopes 


259 


there  are  two  or  three  cheek-spots,  as  well  as  an  arrow-shaped  white  mark  across  the  nose, 
below  the  eyes.  In  the  male  there  is  a  slight  mane  on  the  back  of  the  neck,  and  a  fringe 
of  long  white  and  blackish-brown  hair  intermixed,  extending  from  the  throat  to  the  chest.  The 
ears  are  very  large  and  rounded,  and  the  male  is  adorned  with  magnificent  spiral  horns,  which 
have  been  known  to  attain  a  length  of  48  inches  in  a  straight  line  from  base  to  tip,  and 
64  inches  over  the  curve. 

The  greater  kudu  once  had  a  very  wide  range,  which  extended  from  the  central  portions 
of  the  Cape  Colony  to  Angola  on  the  west,  and  on  the  east  throughout  East  Africa  up  to 
Abyssinia;  but,  with  the  single  exception  of  the  buffalo,  no  species  of  wild  animal  suffered 
more  from  the  terrible  scourge  of  rinderpest  which  recently  swept  over  the  continent  than 
this  lordly  antelope,  and  it  has  almost  ceased  to  exist  in  many  districts  of  South  and  South 
Central  Africa,  where  up  to  1896  it  was  still  very  numerous. 

The  greater  kudu  is  a  bush-loving  antelope,  and  very  partial  to  wooded  hills,  though  it  is 
also  plentiful  in  the  neighbourhood  of  rivers  which  flow  through  level  tracts  of  country  covered 
with  forest  and  bush.  In  my  own  experience  it  is  never  found  at  any  great  distance  from 
water.  It  eats  leaves  and  wild  fruits  as  well  as  grass,  and  lives  in  small  herds  or  families, 
never,  I  believe,  congregating  in  large  numbers.  In  Southern  Africa,  at  any  rate,  it  was  always 
exceptional  to  see  more  than  twenty  greater  kudus  together,  and  I  have  never  seen  more  than 
thirty.  At  certain  seasons  of  the  year  the  males  leave  the  females,  and  live  alone  or  several 
together.  I  once  saw  nine  magnificently  horned  kudus  standing  on  the  bank  of  the  Chobi,  and 

I  have  often  seen  four  or  five  males 
of  this  species  consorting  together. 
As  a  rule  the  greater  kudu  is  met 
with  in  hilly  country  or  in  bush  so 
dense  that  a  horse  cannot  gallop 
through  it  at  full  speed ;  but  if  met 
with  in  open  ground,  a  good  horse 
can  overtake  an  old  male  without 
much  difficulty.  The  females  are 
much  lighter  and  faster,  and  cannot 
be  overtaken  in  any  kind  of  ground. 
The  greater  kudu  is  one  of  the 
most  timid  and  inoffensive  of  animals, 
and  when  attacked  by  dogs  will  not 
make  the  slightest  attempt  to  defend 
itself  either  with  its  horns  or  by 
kicking. 

The  LESSER  KUDU  in  general 
colour  nearly  resembles  its  larger 
relative,  but  is  much  smaller,  the 
males  only  standing  about  40  inches 
at  the  withers,  and  it  lacks  the  long 
fringe  of  hair  under  the  throat. 
The  white  stripes  on  the  body  and 
hindquarters  are,  however,  more 
numerous — from  eleven  to  fourteen  ; 
and  the  horns,  which  are  only  present 
in  the  males,  are  less  divergent,  and 
with  the  spiral  curvature  much  closer 
than  in  .the  greater  kudu. 

The  lesser  kudu  is  an  inhabitant 
of  Somaliland  and  the  maritime 


Photo  by  Percy  Ashenden] 


MALE  KUDU. 


A  kudu  bull  stands  about  5  feet  or  a  little  more  at  the  withers,  being  in  size  only 
inferior  to  the  eland.     The  horns  form  a  corkscrew-like  spiral. 


26o 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


districts  of  British  East  Africa.  It  frequents  thick  scrubby  jungle,  and  is  said  to  be  exceedingly 
watchful  and  wary.  It  lives  either  in  pairs  or  in  small  families,  but  never  congregates  in  large 
herds.  Like  all  the  tragelaphine  antelopes,  this  species  is  a  leaf-eater,  and  feeds  principally 
during  the  night,  lying  up  in  thick  bush  during  the  heat  of  the  day. 

There  remains  to  be  mentioned  but  one  other  group  of  antelopes,  the  ELANDS,  large, 
heavily  built  animals,  which  belong  to  the  present  group,  but  differ  from  all  species  of  kudu, 
sitatunga,  and  bushbuck,  inasmuch  as  both  sexes  are  horned.  There  are  two  forms  of  the 
COMMON  ELAND — namely,  the  grey  variety  of  South-western  Africa,  and  the  striped  animal,  which 
is  found  in  the  countries  farther  north  and  east.  The  two  forms  grade  one  into  the  other, 
and  are  absolutely  identical  in  their  habits  and  mode  of  life,  the  differences  between  them 
being  merely  superficial.  To  the  south  of  the  twenty-third  parallel  of  south  latitude  all  elands 
are  of  a  uniform  fawn  colour,  except  the  old  animals,  which  look  dark  grey,  from  the  fact  that 

the  scantiness  of  their  coats  allows  the 
dark  colour  of  the  skin  to  show  through 
the  hair.  Old  males,  when  standing  in 
the  shade  of  a  tree,  appear  to  be  of  a 
deep  blue-grey  in  colour,  and  are  known 
to  the  colonists  of  South  Africa  as  "  blue 
bulls."  In  Ehodesia,  South-east  Africa, 
and  the  countries  to  the  north  of  the 
Zambesi,  all  the  elands  are  bright 
chestnut-red  when  young,  with  a  black 
line  down  the  centre  of  the  back  from 
the  withers  to  the  tail,  broad  black 
patches  on  the  backs  of  the  fore  legs  above 
the  knees,  and  eight  or  nine  white  stripes 
on  each  side.  When  they  grow  old,  the 
ruddiness  of  the  ground-colour  gradually 
fades,  the  black  markings  on  the  fore  legs 
die  out,  and  the  white  stripes  become 
indistinguishable  at  a  short  distance,  the 
old  bulls  looking  deep  blue-grey  in 
general  colour.  Every  intermediate  stage 
of  colouring  between  the  unstriped  and 
the  highly  coloured  forms  of  eland  is  to 
be  found  in  the  district  lying  between 
the  central  portions  of  the  Kalahari 
Desert  and  the  Zambesi  Kiver.  Old  male 
elands  south  of  the  Zambesi  develop  a 
growth  of  long,  bristly  black  hair  on  the 

forehead,  which  often  hangs  over  their  eyes  and  extends  half-way  down  their  noses.  North  of 
the  Zambesi  this  growth  of  hair  is  not  nearly  so  luxuriant. 

I  have  carefully  measured  the  standing  height  at  the  withers  of  many  old  male  elands  in 
the  interior  of  South  Africa,  and  found  that  it  varied  from  5  feet  8  inches  to  5  feet  10  inches. 
The  horns  of  bulls  in  their  prime  measure  from  26  inches  to  33  inches  in  length,  but  old 
bulls  wear  their  horns  down  very  much.  The  cows  carry  longer,  though  thinner  horns  than 
the  bulls. 

The  range  of  the  eland  once  extended  from  Cape  Agulhas  to  the  White  Nile,  but  it  has 
become  extinct  in  many  districts  of  Southern  Africa,  and  in  almost  every  other  portion  of  its 
range  has,  like  all  other  tragelaphine  antelopes,  suffered  so  cruelly  from  the  recent  visitation 
of  rinderpest  that  it  has  now  become  a  scarce  animal  all  over  Africa. 

During  the  rainy  season  elands  are   usually  met  with  in  small    herds   of  from  four  or  five 


Photo  by  J.  W.  McLellan] 


[Highbury. 


ELAND. 


A  feature  of  the  eland  is  the  large  "  dewlap."      Unlike  the  kudu,  both  sexes  are 
horned. 


Photo  by  Hie  DucJtess  of  Bedford] 


ELAND  COWS. 

Female  elands  carry  longer,  although  more  slender  horns  than  the  bulls. 
261 


[  Woburn  Abbey. 


262 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


to  ten  individuals ;  but  towards  the  end  of  the  dry  season  they  collect  into  large  herds, 
and  at  such  times  I  have  often  seen  from  fifty  to  over  two  hundred  of  these  animals  in 
one  troop. 

In  my  experience  elands  live  for  two-thirds  of  the  year  in  forest  or  bush-covered  country, 
or  amongst  rugged  hills;  and  in  such  localities  they  are  difficult  to  overtake  on  horseback; 
but  in  the  middle  of  the  dry  season,  as  soon  as  they  smell  the  smoke  of  the  grass  fires  lighted 
by  the  natives  on  the  open  plateaux,  they  leave  their  retreats,  and,  collecting  in  herds,  wander 
out  on  to  the  treeless  plains  in  search  of  young  grass.  They  then  fall  an  easy  prey  to  a 
mounted  hunter,  especially  the  heavy  old  bulls,  which  can  be  run  to  a  standstill  with  ease  by 
a  very  moderate  horse. 

The  flesh  of  the  eland  is  excellent  when  the  animal  is  in  good  condition,  as  at  such  a 
time  these  animals  become  very  fat,  especially  the  old  bulls,  whose  hearts  become  encased  in 
a  mass  of  fat  which  will  often  weigh  20  Ibs.  It  is  a  mistake,  however,  to  think  that 
eland -meat  is  always  good;  for  towards  the  end  of  the  dry  season,  when  there  is  little  grass 
to  be  got,  they  feed  extensively  on  the  leaves  of  certain  bushes,  and  their  meat  at  such  times 
becomes  very  poor  and  tasteless. 

Besides  the  common  eland  of  Southern,  Central,  and  Eastern  Africa,  another  distinct 
species  is  met  with  in  Senegal  and  the  Gambia  Colony.  This  is  the  DERBIAN  ELAND,  about 
which  animal  our  knowledge  is  still  very  slight,  as  I  believe  that  it  has  never  yet  been  shot 
nor  its  habits  studied  by  a  European  traveller.  A  good  many  skulls  and  horns  and  a  few  skins 
have  been  obtained  from  natives,  from  which  it  appears  that  in  general  colour  this  species  is 
of  a  rich  reddish-fawn  colour,  becoming  nearly  white  below,  the  middle  of  the  belly  being 
black.  The  neck  is  covered  with  long  hair  of  a  dark  brown  or  black  colour,  blacker  towards 
the  shoulder  than  in  front.  A  broad  black  stripe  extends  all  down  the  centre  of  the  back 
from  the  neck  to  the  root  of  the  tail,  and  there  are  large  black  patches  on  the  backs  and 

inner  sides  of  the 
fore  legs  above  the 
knees.  On  each 
side  of  the  body 
and  haunches 
there  are  thirteen 
or  fourteen  narrow 
white  stripes.  The 
horns  are  larger 
and  more  massive 
and  divergent  than 
in  the  common 
eland. 

The  Derbian 
eland  is  said  to  be 
a  forest  -  loving 
animal,  never  of  its 
own  accord  coming 
out  into  the  plains. 
It  lives  in  small 
herds,  is  very  shy 
and  not  at  all 
abundant,  and 
browses  on  the 
leaves  and  young 
shoots  of  various 
trees  and  bushes. 


Photo  by  W.  P.  Dando] 


BULL   ELAND. 


The  flesh  of  the  eland  is  of  better  flavour  than  that  of   most  other  large  game. 

species  will  thrive  in  English  parks. 


{Regent's  Park. 


If   sheltered   in   winter,  the 


Photo  by  W.  P.  Dando} 


THE   SOUTHERN    GIRAFFE. 

The  tallest  mammal  ever  known  to  walk  the  earth. 

263 


CHAPTER    XVI. 

THE   GIRAFFE  AND   OKAPI. 


THE     GIRAFFE. 

BY   H.    A.    BRYDEN. 


IKAFFES,  which  are  found  only  in  the 
continent  of  Africa,  are  the  tallest  of 
all  living  creatures.  They  belong  to 
the  Ruminants,  or  Cud-chewers,  and  naturalists 
are  inclined  to  place  them  somewhere  between 
the  Deer  Family  and  the  Hollow-horned 
Ruminants,  in  which  latter  are  to  be  found 
oxen,  buffaloes,  and  antelopes.  Riitimeyer,  the 
Swiss  naturalist,  once  defined  them  as  "  a  most 
fantastic  form  of  deer,"  wThich  is,  perhaps,  as 
good  a  definition  of  them  as  one  is  likely 
to  hit  upon.  Fossil  discoveries  show  that,  in 
ages  long  remote,  great  giraffe-like  creatures, 
some  of  them  bearing  horns  or  antlers,  roamed 
widely  in  the  south  of  Europe,  Persia,  India 
and  even  China. 

Of  living  giraffes,  two  species  have  thus 
far  been  identified,  —  the  SOUTHERN  or  CAPE 
GIRAFFE,  with1  a  range  extending  from  Bechua- 
naland  and  the  Transvaal  to  British  East 
Africa  and  the  Soudan  ;  and  the  NUBIAN  or 
NORTHERN  GIRAFFE,  found  chiefly  in  East  Africa, 
Somaliland,  and  the  country  between  Abyssinia 
and  the  Nile.  The  southern  giraffe,  which, 
from  its  recent  appearance  in  the  Gardens  of 
the  Zoological  Society,  is  now  the  more  familiar 
of  the  two  animals,  has  a  creamy  or  yellowish- 
white  ground-colour,  marked  by  irregular 
blotches,  which  vary  in  colour,  in  animals  of  different  ages,  from  lemon-fawn  to  orange-tawny, 
and  in  older  specimens  to  a  very  dark  chestnut.  Old  bulls  and  occasionally  old  cows  grow 
extremely  dark  with  age,  and  at  a  distance  appear  almost  black  upon  the  back  and  shoulders. 
The  northern  giraffe  is  widely  different,  the  coloration  being  usually  a  rich  red-chestnut, 
darker  with  age,  separated  by  a  fine  network  of  white  lines,  symmetrically  arranged  in 
polygonal  patterns.  At  no  great  distance  this  giraffe,  instead  of  having  the  blotchy  or  dappled 
appearance  of  the  southern  giraffe,  looks  almost  entirely  chestnut  in  colour.  Again,  the 
southern  giraffe  has  only  two  horns,  while  the  northern  species  usually  develops  a  third, 
growing  from  the  centre  of  the  forehead.  These  horns,  which  are  covered  with  hair  in  both 
species,  and  tufted  black  at  the  tips,  are,  in  the  youthful  days  of  the  animal,  actually 
separable  from  the  bones  of  the  head.  As  the  animal  arrives  at  maturity,  they  become  firmly 

264 


Photo  by  Miss  E.  J.  Beck. 

SOUTHERN   GIRAFFE   LYING   DOWN. 

This  giraffe  was  a  present  to  Queen  Victoria  ;   it  only  lived  fourteen 
days  after  its  arrival. 


The    Giraffe    and    Okapi 


265 


united  to  the  skull.  A  third  race  or  sub-species  of  giraffe  has  been  identified  in  Western 
Africa,  mainly  from  the  skull  and  cannon-bones  of  a  specimen  shot  in  1897  at  the  junction  of 
the  Binue  and  Niger  Rivers ;  but  very  little  is  known  about  this  form.  Other  varieties  or 
sub-species  may  yet  be  discovered  in  other  parts  of  the  Dark  Continent.  It  is  lacking  in  the 
giraffe's  long  neck. 

The  towering  height  of  the  giraffe  is  entirely  attributable  to  the  great  length  of  the  neck 
and  limbs.  A  full-grown  bull  giraffe  will  certainly  measure  occasionally  as  much  as  19  feet  in 
height.  I  measured  very  carefully  a  specimen  shot  by  my  hunting  friend,  Mr.  W.  Dove,  in  the 
forests  of  the  North  Kalahari,  South  Africa,  which  taped  18  feet  11^  inches.  A  fine  cow,  shot 
by  myself  in  the  same  country,  measured  16  feet  10  inches,  and  there  is  no  reason  to  suppose 
that  cow  giraffes  do  not  easily  reach  fully  17  feet  in  height.  These  animals  feed  almost 
entirely  upon  the  leaves  of  acacia-trees,  the  foliage  of  the  kameel-doorn,  or  giraffe-acacia, 
affording  their  most  favourite  food-supply.  It  is  a  most  beautiful  spectacle  to  see,  as  I  have 
seen,  a  large  troop  of  these  dappled  giants — creatures  which,  somehow,  viewed  in  the  wild  state, 
always  seem  to  me  to  belong  to  another  epoch — quietly  browsing,  with  upstretched  necks  and 
delicate  heads,  among  the  branches  of  the  spreading  mokala,  as  the  Bechuanas  call  this  tree. 

The  giraffe's  upper  lip  is  long  and  prehensile,  and  covered,  no  doubt  as  a  protection 
against  thorns,  with  a  thick  velvety  coating  of  short  hair.  The  tongue  is  long — some  18  inches 
in  length — and  is  employed  for  plucking  down  the  tender  leafage  on  which  the  giraffe  feeds. 
The  eyes  of  the  giraffe  are  most  beautiful — dark  brown,  shaded  by  long  lashes,  and  peculiarly 
tender  and  melting  in  expression.  Singularly  enough,  the  animal  is  absolutely  mute,  and  never, 
even  in  its  death-agonies,  utters  a  sound.  The  hoofs  are  large,  elongate,  nearly  12  inches  in 
length  in  the  case  of  old  bulls,  and  look  like  those  of  gigantic  cattle.  There  are  no  false 
hoofs,  and  the  fetlock  is  round  and  smooth.  The  skin  of  a  full-grown  giraffe  is  extraordinarily 
tough  and  solid,  attaining  in  the  case  of  old  males  as  much  as  an  inch  in  thickness.  From 
these  animals  most  of  the  sjamboks,  or  colonial  whips,  in  use  all  over  South  Africa,  are  now 
made ;  and  it  is  a  miserable  fact  to  record  that  giraffes  are  now  slaughtered  by  native  and 
Boer  hunters  almost  solely  for  the  value  of  the  hide,  which  is  worth  from  £J3  to  £5  in  the 
case  of  full-grown  beasts.  So  perishes  the 
giraffe  from  South  Africa. 

Giraffes  live  mainly  in  forest  country,  or 
country  partially  open  and  partially  clothed  with 
thin,  park-like  stretches  of  low  acacia- tree.s. 
When  pursued,  they  betake  themselves  to  the 
densest  parts  of  the  bush  and  timber,  and,  their 
thick  hides  being  absolutely  impervious  to  the 
frightful  thorns  with  which  all  African  jungle 
and  forest  seem  to  be  provided,  burst  through 
every  bushy  obstacle  with  the  greatest  ease. 
They  steer  also  in  the  most  wonderful  manner 
through  the  timber,  ducking  branches  and 
evading  tree-boles  with  marvellous  facility.  I 
shall  never  forget  seeing  my  hunting  comrade 
after  his  first  chase  in  thick  bush.  We  had 
ridden,  as  we  always  rode  hunting,  in  our  flannel 
shirts,  coatless.  Attracted  by  his  firing,  I  came 
up  with  my  friend,  who  was  sitting  on  the 
body  of  a  huge  old  bull  giraffe,  which  had 
fallen  dead  in  a  grassy  clearing.  He  was  looking 
ruefully  at  the  remains  of  his  shirt,  which  hung 
about  him,  literally  in  rags  and  ribbons.  Blood 
was  streaming  from  innumerable  wounds  upon 


Photo  by  W.  P.  Dando]  [Regent's  Park. 

MALE   SOUTHERN   GIRAFFE. 

The  coloration   of   these  animals  harmonises  exactly  with  the  dark 
and  light  splashes  of  their  surroundings. 

34 


266 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


Photo  6y  A .  S.  Kudfond  «fc  -Sons. 

A  GIRAFFE  GRAZING. 

Grazing  is  evidently  not  the  natural  mode  of  feeding  of  these  animals,  which  are  essentially 

browsers. 


his  chest,  neck,  and  arms. 
Always  after  that  we  donned  cord 
coats,  when  running  giraffes 
in  bush  and  forest  country. 

In  regions  where  they 
have  been  little  disturbed, 
giraffes  no  doubt  wander  across 
open  plains,  and  are  to  be  seen 
well  away  from  the  denser 
forests,  feeding  among  scattered 
islets  of  acacias,  easily  exposed 
to  the  human  eye.  But  in 
South  Africa  they  are  now 
seldom  to  be  met  with  out  of 
the  forest  region.  Once,  and 
once  only,  have  I  seen  giraffes 
in  the  open.  This  was  on  the 
outskirts  of  the  forest,  and 
the  great  creatures  had  been 
tempted  to  a  little  knoll  of 
mokala  trees,  rising  like  an 
islet  from  the  sea  of  grass. 
One's  first  impression  of  these  creatures  in  the  wild  state  is  very  deceptive.  I  well 
remember  first  setting  eyes  upon  a  troop  of  five  or  six.  As  they  swung  away  from  the  leafage 
on  which  they  were  feeding,  my  friend  and  I  cantered  easily,  thinking  that  we  should  soon 
come  up  with  them.  "We  were  completely  deceived.  With  those  immense  legs  of  theirs,  the 
great  creatures,  going  with  their  easy,  shuffling,  but  marvellously  swift  walk,  were  simply 
striding  away  from  us.  Discovering  our  mistake,  we  rode  hard,  and  the  giraffes  then  broke  into 
their  strange,  rocking  gallop,  and  a  headlong,  desperate  chase  began,  to  be  terminated  by  the 
death  of  a  fine  cow.  Like  the  camel,  the  giraffe  progresses  by  moving  the  two  legs  upon 
either  side  of  the  body  simultaneously.  At  this  strange,  rocking  gallop  these  animals  move  at 
a  great  pace,  and  a  good  Cape  horse  is  needed  to  run  into  them.  By  far  the  best  plan,  if  you 
are  bent  on  shooting  these  animals,  is  to  press  your  pony,  so  soon  as  you  sight  giraffes,  to  the 
top  of  its  speed,  and  force  the  game  beyond  its  natural  paces  in  one  desperate  gallop  of  a 
couple  of  miles  or  so.  If  well  mounted,  your  nag  will  take  you  right  up  to  the  heels  of  the 
tall  beasts,  and,  firing  from  the  saddle,  you  can,  without  great  difficulty,  bring  down  the  game. 
The  giraffe,  unlike  the  antelopes  of  Africa,  is  not  very  tenacious  of  life,  and  a  bullet  planted 
near  the  root  of  the  tail  will,  penetrating  the  short  body,  pierce  a  vital  spot,  and  bring 
down  the  tall  beast  crashing  to  earth.  Having  tasted  the  delights  of  fox-hunting  and  many 
other  forms  of  sport,  I  can  testify  that  the  run  up  to  a  good  troop  of  giraffes  is  one 
of  the  most  thrilling  and  exciting  of  all  human  experiences.  There  is  nothing  else  quite 
like  it  in  the  wide  range  of  sporting  emotions.  Having  enjoyed  this  thrilling  pleasure  a  few 
times,  however,  the  humane  hunter  will  stay  his  hand,  and  shoot  only  when  meat,  or  perhaps 
an  exceptionally  fine  specimen,  is  absolutely  needed.  Giraffes  are,  of  course,  utterly  defenceless, 
and,  save  for  their  shy,  wary  habits  and  remote,  waterless  habitat,  have  nothing  to  shield 
them  from  the  mounted  hunter. 

Giraffe-hunting  on  foot  is  a  very  different  matter.  In  that  case  the  giraffe  has  the  better 
of  it,  and  the  stalker  is  placed  at  great  disadvantage.  These  animals  are  in  many  places 
found  in  extremely  waterless  country,  where  even  the  mounted  hunter  has  much  trouble  to 
reach  them.  Like  elands  and  gemsbok  and  other  desert-loving  antelopes,  they  can  exist  for 
long  periods — months  together — without  drinking.  In  the  northern  portions  of  the  Kalahari 
Desert,  where  I  have  carefully  observed  their  habits,  as  well  as  hunted  them,  it  is  an  undoubted 


The    Giraffe    and    Okapi 


267 


fact  that  giraffes  never  touch  water  during  the  whole  of  the  dry  winter  season — for  several 
months  on  end.  Gremsbok  and  elands  in  the  same  waterless  tract  of  country  are  complete 
abstainers  for  the  same  period.  The  flesh  of  a  giraffe  cow,  if  fairly  young,  is  excellent,  tender, 
and  well  tasted,  with  a  flavour  of  game-like  veal.  The  marrow-bones  also,  roasted  over  a  gentle 
wood  fire,  and  sawn  in  half,  afford  delicious  eating,  quite  one  of  the  supreme  delicacies  of  the 
African  wilderness. 

THE   OKAPI. 

BY   SIR   HARRY    JOHNSTON,   K.C.B.,   F.Z.S. 

HEADERS  of  "  The  Living  Animals  of  the  World "  are  in  all  probability  readers  of 
newspapers,  and  it  would  therefore  be  affectation  on  the  part  of  the  writer  of  these  lines 
to  assume  that  they  have  not  heard  more  or  less  of  the  discovery  which  he  was 
privileged  to  make  of  an  entirely  new  ruminant 
of  large  size,  dwelling  in  the  forests  bordering 
the  Semliki  Kiver,  in  Central  Africa,  on  the  border- 
land between  the  Uganda  Protectorate  and  the 
Congo  Free  State.  The  history  of  this  discovery, 
stated  briefly,  is  as  follows: — In  1882-83  I  was 
the  guest  of  Mr.  (now  Sir  Henry)  Stanley  on  the 
Kiver  Congo  at  Stanley  Pool.  I  was  visiting  the  Congo 
at  that  time  as  an  explorer  in  a  very  small  way  and 
a  naturalist.  Mr.  Stanley,  conversing  with  me  on  the 
possibility  of  African  discoveries,  told  me  then  that  he 
believed  that  all  that  was  most  wonderful  in  tropical 
Africa  would  be  found  to  be  concentrated  in  the 
region  of  the  Blue  Mountains,  south  of  the  Albert 
Nyanza.  This  feeling  on  Stanley's  part  doubtless  was 
one  of  the  reasons  which  urged  him  to  go  to  the 
relief  of  Emin  Pasha.  His  journey  through  the  great 
Congo  Forest  towards  the  Blue  Mountains  of  the 
Albert  Nyanza  resulted  in  his  discovery  of  the 
greatest  snow  mountain -range  of  Africa,  Euwenzori, 
and  the  river  Semliki,  which  is  the  Upper  Albertine 
Nile ;  of  Lake  Albert  Edward,  from  which  it  flows 
round  the  flanks  of  Euwenzori;  and,  amongst  other 
things,  in  more  detailed  information  regarding  the 
dwarf  races  of  the  Northern  Congo  forests  than  we 
had  yet  received.  Stanley  also  was  the  first  to  draw 

the  attention  of  the  world  to  the  dense  and  awful  character  of  these  mighty  woods,  and  to 
hint  at  the  mysteries  and  wonders  in  natural  history  which  they  possibly  contained.  The 
stress  and  trouble  of  his  expedition  prevented  him  and  his  companions  from  bestowing  much 
attention  on  natural  history ;  moreover,  in  these  forests  it  is  extremely  difficult  for  persons 
who  are  passing  hurriedly  through  the  tangle  to  come  into  actual  contact  with  the  beasts  that 
inhabit  them.  Sir  Henry  Stanley,  discussing  this  subject  with  me  since  my  return  from 
Uganda,  tells  me  that  he  believes  that  the  okapi  is  only  one  amongst  several  strange  new 
beasts  which  will  be  eventually  discovered  in  these  remarkable  forests.  He  describes  having  seen 
a  creature  like  a  gigantic  pig  6  feet  in  length,  and  certain  antelopes  unlike  any  known  type. 
In  regard  to  the  okapi,  the  only  hint  of  its  existence  which  he  obtained  was  the  announcement 
that  the  dwarfs  knew  of  the  existence  of  a  creature  in  their  forests  which  greatly  resembled 
an  ass  in  appearance,  and  which  they  caught  in  pits.  This  tiny  sentence  in  an  appendix  to 
his  book  "  In  Darkest  Africa "  attracted  my  attention  some  time  before  I  went  to  Uganda. 
It  seemed  to  me  so  extraordinary  that  any  creature  like  a  horse  should  inhabit  a  dense 


Photo  by  Charles  Knight]  [Aldershot. 

A   GIRAFFE   BROWSING. 
Here  the  posture  is  seen  to  be  thoroughly  natural. 


268 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


forest,    that   I   determined,    if    ever    fate    should    lead    me    in    that    direction,    I   would   make 
enquiries. 

Soon  after  reaching  the  Uganda  Protectorate  at  the  end  of  1899,  I  came  in  contact  with 
a  large  party  of  dwarfs  who  had  been  kidnapped  by  a  too  enterprising  German  impresario,  who 
had  decided  to  show  them  at  the  Paris  Exhibition.  As  the  Belgians  objected  to  this  procedure, 
I  released  the  dwarfs  from  their  kidnapper,  and  retained  them  with  me  for  some  months  in 
Uganda,  until  I  was  able  personally  to  escort  them  back  to  their  homes  in  the  Congo  Forest. 
I  had  other  reasons  connected  with  my  Government  business  for  visiting  the  north-western 
part  of  the  Congo  Free  State.  As  soon  as  I  could  make  the  dwarfs  understand  me  by  means  of 
an  interpreter,  I  questioned  them  regarding  the  existence  of  this  horse-like  creature  in  their 
forests.  They  at  once  understood  what  I  meant ;  and  pointing  to  a  zebra-skin  and  a  live  mule, 
they  informed  me  that  the  creature  in  question,  which  was  called  OK  API,  was  like  a  mule  with 

zebra  stripes  on  it.  When  I  reached  Fort 
Mbeni,  in  the  Congo  Free  State,  on  the  west 
bank  of  the  river  Semliki,  I  put  questions 
to  the  Belgian  officers  stationed  there. 
They  all  knew  the  okapi,  at  any  rate,  when 
dead.  As  a  living  animal  they  had  none 
of  them  seen  it,  but  their  native  soldiers 
were  in  the  habit  of  hunting  the  animal 
in  the  forest  and  killing  it  with  spears, 
and  then  bringing  in  the  skin  and  the 
flesh  for  use  in  the  fort.  One  of  the 
officers  declared  there  was  even  then  a 
freshly  obtained  skin  lying  about  in  the 
precincts  of  the  fort.  On  searching  for 
this,  however,  it  was  discovered  that  the 
greater  part  of  it  had  been  thrown  away, 
only  the  gaudier  portions  having  been  cut 
into  strips  by  the  soldiers  to  be  made  into 
bandoliers.  These  strips,  together  with 
similar  ones  obtained  from  natives  in  the 
forest,  I  sent  to  England,  to  Dr.  P.  L. 
Sclater,  for  his  consideration.  Furnished 
by  the  Belgian  officers  with  guides,  and 
taking  with  me  all  the  dwarfs  whom 
I  had  brought  from  Uganda,  I  entered 
the  forest,  and  remained  there  for  some 
days  searching  for  the  okapi.  All  this 

time  I  was  convinced  that  I  was  on  the  track  of  a  species  of  horse;  and  therefore  when  the 
natives  showed  the  tracks  of  a  cloven-footed  animal  like  the  eland,  and  told  us  these  were 
the  foot-prints  of  the  okapi,  I  disbelieved  them,  and  imagined  that  we  were  merely  following 
a  forest-eland.  We  never  saw  the  okapi ;  and  as  the  life  in  the  forest  made  the  whole  expedition 
extremely  ill,  and  my  time  was  required  for  official  work  elsewhere,  I  was  obliged  to  give  up 
this  search.  Meantime,  I  had  elicited  from  the  natives,  whom  I  questioned  closely,  that  the 
okapi  was  a  creature  without  horns  or  any  means  of  offence,  the  size  of  a  large  antelope  or 
mule,  which  inhabited  only  the  densest  parts  of  the  forest  and  generally  went  about  in  pairs, 
male  and  female.  It  lived  chiefly  on  leaves.  The  Belgian  officers,  seeing  that  I  was  disappointed 
at  not  obtaining  a  complete  skin,  offered  to  use  their  best  efforts  to  obtain  one  for  me,  and 
send  it  on  to  Uganda  after  my  departure. 

This   promise   was   eventually   redeemed   by  Mr.    Karl   Eriksson,   a    Swedish  officer   in   the 
Belgian    service.     Mr.   Eriksson  sent  me   a  complete   skin  and  two  skulls.     The  skin  and   the 


Photo  by  York  <fr  Son]  \_Kotting  Hill. 

MALE   AND   FEMALE   GIRAFFES. 
Giraffes  are  said  to  be  very  affectionate  animals. 


269 


270 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


bigger  of  the  two  skulls  belonged  to  a  young  male.  This  is  the  skin  which  is  now  set  up 
in  the  Natural  History  Museum  at  South  Kensington,  and  of  which  a  photographic  illustration 
accompanies  this  notice.  Upon  receiving  this  skin,  I  saw  at  once  what  the  okapi  was— namely, 
a  close  relation  of  the  giraffe.  From  the  very  small  development  of  the  horn-bosses,  I  believed 
that  it  was  nearer  allied  to  the  helladotherium  than  to  the  living  giraffe.  In  forwarding 
the  specimens  to  Professor  Kay  Lankester,  I  therefore  proposed  that  it  should  be  called 
Helladoiherium  tigrinum.  Professor  Ray  Lankester,  having  examined  the  specimens  with  a 
greater  knowledge  than  I  possessed,  decided  that  the  animal  was  rather  more  closely  allied  to 
the  giraffe  than  to  the  helladotherium,  but  that  it  possessed  sufficient  peculiarities  of  its  own 
to  oblige  him  to  create  for  its  reception  a  new  genus,  which  he  proposed  to  call  Ocapia. 

Meantime,    the   original    strips    of  the   skin    (which  apparently    belonged   to  an    older   and 

larger  animal  than  the 
specimen  mounted  at 
South  Kensington) 
had  been  pronounced 
by  experts  to  whom 
they  were  submitted 
to  be  the  skin  of  an 
undiscovered  species 
of  horse,  and  this 
supposed  new  horse 
had  been  tentatively 
named  by  Dr.  P.  L. 
Sclater  Equus  john- 
stoni.  The  full  dis- 
covery  obliged 
Professor  Ray  Lan- 
kester to  set  aside 
any  idea  of  the  okapi 
being  allied  to  the 
horse,  but  he  was 
good  enough  to  attach 
Mr.  Sclater's  specific 
name  of  johnstoni  to 
his  newly  founded 
genus  of  Ocapia. 

Up  to  the  time  of  writing  this  is  all  that  is  known  of  this  extraordinary  survival  in  the 
Congo  Forest  of  the  only  living  relation  of  the  giraffe.  We  know  by  palseontological  discoveries 
in  Europe  and  in  Asia  that  there  existed  a  large  family  of  ruminants  which  in  their  develop- 
ment and  features  were  neither  of  the  Ox  group  nor  of  the  Deer,  but  in  some  respects 
occupied  a  position  midway  between  these  two  branches  of  cloven-hoofed,  horned,  ruminating 
Ungulates.  To  this  family  the  Giraffe,  the  Okapi,  the  Helladotherium,  the  Samotherium,  the 
Sivatherium,  and  the  Bramatherium  belong.  In  all  probability  bony  projections  arose  from  the 
skulls  of  these  creatures  similar  in  some  measure  to  the  prominent  bony  cores  of  the  horns  of 
oxen.  From  the  top,  however,  of  these  bony  cores  there  would  seem  to  have  arisen  anciently 
antlers,  possibly  deciduous  like  those  of  the  prongbuck.  In  time  creatures  like  the  giraffe 
lost  any  need  for  such  weapons  of  offence,  and  ceased  to  grow  antlers;  but  the  bony  cores 
from  which  these  antlers  once  proceeded  still  remained,  and  in  the  case  of  the  giraffe  remaii 
to  the  present  day.  In  the  helladotherium  and  in  the  okapi  these  bony  cores  have  dwindled 
to  mere  bumps. 


Copyright  photograph  by  Hutchinson  &  Co. 

HEAD   OF  OKAPI. 
The  enormous  size  of  the  ears  is  very  noteworthy. 


CHAPTER    XVII. 


THE     DEER     TRIBE. 

BY   H.    A.   BRYDEN. 

DEER  represent  as  a  family  the  non-domesticated  class  of  ruminants.     Generally  speaking, 
the  males  are  distinguished  by  antlers,  which  are  shed  periodically,  usually  once  a  year, 
and  again  renewed.      Comprising  as  it  does  some  of  the  noblest  mammals  to  be  found 
on  the  face  of  the  earth,  this  large  and  important  tribe  is  to  be  found  distributed  over  a  large 
portion    of   the    world's    surface,    from    the   Arctic    North,    the    home    of   the   wild    reindeer,    to 
Patagonia,  in    Southern    South    America.      Deer   are,    however,    not   found    in   the   continent   of 
Africa  south  of  the  Sahara,  nor   in   Madagascar  or  Australia.     They  are  not  indigenous  to  New 
Zealand ;  but  the  red  deer,  introduced  there  some  years  ago  for  purposes  of  sport,  have  thriven 
wonderfully  well,  and  are  now  completely  acclimatised. 

From  the  earliest  times  deer,  especially  those    species    known  as  the  true  or  typical  deer, 
of  which   red   deer   may  be   said   to   be   a  type,  have  been  animals   of  considerable  importance 
to  mankind.       Their   flesh   has   been   always   eagerly  sought  after ;   deer-skin   is   still,    even    in 
these    days   of    high    civilisation, 
useful    for    many   purposes;    and 
the    antlers    are    almost    equally 
in  request. 

It  is  more  than  probable 
that,  in  the  vast  and  still  little- 
explored  regions  of  Central, 
East,  and  Northern  Asia,  new 
species  of  deer  remain  to  be 
discovered.  At  the  present  time 
there  are  known  to  exist,  in 
various  parts  of  the  world,  close 
on  a  hundred  species  and  varieties. 
Within  the  space  allotted  to 
these  animals  it  is,  of  course, 
manifestly  impossible  to  notice 
all  these  in  anything  like  detail. 
Many  of  the  varieties  or  sub- 
species closely  resemble  one 
another,  so  much  so  that  the 
differences  between  them  are  only 
apparent  to  the  eyes  of  naturalists 
or  acute  observers. 

THE  EEINDEER. 
REINDEER    are    distinguished 
from   all   other   kinds  of  deer  by 

,          _  ,  .  ,,  ,  Photo  by  Valentine  <£  Sons,  Ltd.]  [Dundee. 

the   fact   that   antlers    are    borne  SCANDINAVIAN  REINDEER. 

by    both    males    and    temaleS.        J.ne  The  spreading  hoofs  enable  the  reindeer  to  traverse  snow  and  swamps  without  sinking 

271 


272 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


antlers,  as  may  be  seen  by  the  illustration,  differ  materially  from  those  of  the  red  deer,  elk, 
and  other  species ;  the  brow-tines,  especially,  are  often  much  palmated.  These  animals  are 
heavily  built,  short-legged,  and,  as  beseems  dwellers  in  a  snowy  habitat,  provided  with  round, 
short,  and  spreading  hoofs.  For  ages  reindeer  have  been  domesticated  by  the  Lapps  of 
Scandinavia,  the  Samoyeds,  and  other  primitive  races  of  Northern  Europe  and  Asia.  Trained 
to  harness,  and  drawing  a  sledge,  they  traverse  long  distances,  while  their  milk,  flesh,  and 

hides  are  of  great 
importance  to  the 
people  who  keep 
them.  The  COMMON 
or  SCANDINAVIAN 
REINDEER  ranges 
from  Norway  through 
Northern  Europe 
into  Asia,  though 
how  far  eastward  is 
not  yet  accurately 
determined.  It  is 
interesting  to  note 
that  these  animals 
were  once  denizens 
of  Britain,  and  so 
lately  as  the  twelfth 
century  the  Jarls  of 
Orkney  are  believed 
to  have  been  in  the 
habit  of  crossing  to 
the  mainland  for  the 
purpose  of  hunting 
them  in  the  wilds  of 
Caithness.  Wild 
reindeer  are  still  to 
be  found  in  the 
remoter  parts  of 
Norway,  though, 
from  much  persecution,  they  are  becoming  comparatively  scarce  in  most  parts  of  the  country. 

Mr.  Abel  Chapman,  in  his  "  Wild  Norway,"  gives  some  excellent  accounts  of  sport  with 
these  fine  deer.  Speaking  of  a  good  herd  of  twenty-one,  discovered  in  Ryfylke,  he  says : 
"Most  of  the  deer  were  lying  down,  but  both  the  big  stags  stood  upright  in  dreamy,  inert 
postures.  ...  I  now  fully  realised  what  a  truly  magnificent  animal  I  had  before  me.  Both  in 
body  and  horn  he  was  a  giant,  and  his  coat  was  no  less  remarkable ;  the  neck  was  pure  white, 
and  beneath  it  a  shaggy  mane  hung  down  a  foot  in  length.  This  white  neck  was  set  off  by 
the  dark  head  in  front  and  the  rich  glossy  brown  of  his  robe  behind.  Besides  this  the 
contrasting  black  and  white  bars  on  flanks  and  stern  were  conspicuously  clean-cut  and  defined, 
and  the  long  and  massive  antlers  showed  a  splendid  recurved  sweep,  surmounted  by  branch-like 
tines,  all  clean."  For  three  long,  agonising  hours  the  stalker  watched  this  noble  prize,  and  then 
one  of  those  lucky  chances  which  occasionally  gladden  the  hunter's  heart  occurred,  and  the 
reindeer  approached  within  a  hundred  yards.  "Half-a-dozen  forward  steps,  and  his  white  neck 
and  dark  shoulder  were  beautifully  exposed.  Already,  ere  his  head  had  appeared,  the  rifle  had 
been  shifted  over,  and  now  the  foresight  dwelt  lovingly  on  a  thrice-refined  aim.  The  '450  bullet 
struck  to  an  inch,  just  where  the  shaggy  mane  joined  the  brown  shoulder.  The  beast  winced 
all  over,  but  neither  moved  nor  fell.  A  moment's  survey,  and  I  knew  by  the  swaying  of  his 


By  permission  of  the  New  York  Zoological  Society. 

WOODLAND  CARIBOU. 
This  specimen  has  shed  its  horns,  which  are  of  the  general  type  of  those  of  the  Scandinavian  race. 


CEU 


Photo  by  the  Duchess  of  Bedford] 


IMMATURE  SCANDINAVIAN   ELK. 
The  largest  of  all  the  Deer  Tribe,  and  has  antlers  of  an  altogether  abnormal  type. 

273 


[  Woburn  Abbey. 


35 


274 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


head  that  he  was  mine."  The  weight  of  this  big  reindeer  stag  was  estimated  at  450  Ibs., 
or  32  stone.  lie  carried  twenty-five  points  to  his  antlers,  which  measured  51  inches  in 
extreme  length. 

In  addition  to  the  common  or  Scandinavian  reindeer,  there  are  closely  allied  races,  showing, 
however,  slightly  varying  characteristics,  found  in  Spitzbergen  and  Greenland.  In  North 
America,  where  only  wild  reindeer  are  found,  these  animals  are  known  as  CARIBOU.  Here  several 
sub-species  are  known  :  among  them,  the  NEWFOUNDLAND  CARIBOU  ;  the  WOODLAND  CARIBOU  of 
the  mainland;  and  the  BARREN-GROUND  CARIBOU,  found  in  the  arctic  wastes  of  the  Far  North- 
west, towards  the  Polar  Ocean. 

THE  ELK,  OR  MOOSE. 

This  gigantic  creature,  the  largest  of  all  the  numerous  tribe  of  deer,  is  found,  in  the  Old 
World,  in  Northern  Europe,  Siberia,  and  Northern  China.  Its  range  extends — for  there  is  no 
real  distinction  between  the  elk  of  the  Old  and  the  New  Worlds — to  Northern  America,  where 
it  is  always  known  as  the  MOOSE.  Its  transatlantic  habitat  runs  from  the  mouth  of  the 
Mackenzie  Kiver  to  the  St.  Lawrence.  Wherever  its  abiding-place  may  be,  it  will  be  found  that 
the  elk  is  essentially  a  forest-loving  creature,  partial  to  the  loneliest  stretches  of  the  woods  and 
dreary  marshes.  Its  fleshy,  bulbous,  prehensile  muzzle  shows  plainly  that  the  elk  is  a  browsing 
beast,  and  not  a  grazing  animal,  like  most  other  deer.  The  male  carries  vast  palmated  horns, 
measuring  sometimes  as  much  as  6  feet  1£  inch  in  span  from  tip  to  tip;  this  measurement 
is  from  an  American  specimen  in  the  possession  of  the  Duke  of  Westminster.  A  fine 
Scandinavian  bull  will  measure  18  hands  at  the  withers  and  weigh  as  much  as  90  stone, 
while  the  North  American  elk  is  said  to  attain  as  much  as  1,400  Ibs.  In  colour  the  elk  is  a 
dark  brownish  grey  ;  the  neck,  body,  and  tail  are  short ;  while  the  animal  stands  very  high 


, 

, 


By  permission  of  the  New  York  Zoological  Society. 

FEMALE  AMERICAN   ELK,   OR  MOOSE. 
The  elk  of  the  two  hemispheres  are  so  alike  that  they  cannot  be  regarded  as  anything  more  than  races  of  a  single  species. 


The    Deer    Tribe 


275 


Photo  by  C.  Reid] 


[  Wishaw,  N.B. 


upon  the  legs.  Under  the 
throat  of  the  male  hangs  a 
singular  appendage,  a  sort  of 
tassel  of  hair  and  skin,  known 
to  American  hunters  as  the 
"  bell."  The  build  of  the  elk 
is  clumsy,  and  the  mighty 
beast  entirely  lacks  the  grace 
characteristic  of  so  many 
others  of  the  deer  kind.  It 
has  in  truth  a  strangely 
primeval,  old-world  aspect,  and 
seems  rather  to  belong  to 
prehistoric  ages  than  to 
modern  times. 

In  Scandinavia  elk  are 
hunted  usually  in  two  ways — 
by  driving,  or  with  a  trained 
dog  held  in  leash.  In  the 
royal  forests  of  Sweden  great 
bags  are  made  at  these 
drives;  and  in  the  year  1885, 
when  a  great  hunt  was  got 
up  for  the  present  King  of 
England,  forty-nine  elk  were 
slain.  Except  during  the 
rutting-season  these  titanic 
deer  are  extremely  shy  and 
suspicious  creatures,  and  the  greatest  precautions  have  to  be  taken  in  hunting  them. 

In  Canada  moose  are  often  shot  during  the  rutting-season  by  "  calling,"  a  rude  horn  of 
birch-bark  being  used,  with  which  the  hunter  simulates  the  weird,  hoarse  roar  of  the  animals, 
as  they  call  to  one  another,  or  challenge  in  the  primeval  woodlands  and  morasses  of  the  wild 
North.  Still-hunting  or  tracking — spooring,  as  it  would  be  called  in  South  Africa — is  another 
and  extremely  fatiguing  method  ;  while  yet  another  mode  of  hunting  is  that  practised  by  Indian 
and  half-breed  hunters  in  winter,  when,  the  sportsman  being  mounted  on  snow-shoes,  the  moose 
is  followed,  run  into  and  shot  in  deep  snow.  In  this  sport  the  hunter  has  much  the  better 
of  it.  The  moose,  with  its  vast  weight  and  sharp  hoofs,  plunges  through  the  frozen  snow-crust, 
over  which  the  snow-shoes  carry  the  biped  easily  enough,  and,  becoming  presently  exhausted, 
is  shot  without  much  difficulty.  Elk  usually  run  at  a  steady,  slinging  trot,  and  traverse 
extraordinary  distances,  apparently  with  little  fatigue. 

KED  DEER. 

We  come  now  to  a  group  of  what  are  called  typical  deer,  the  KED  DEER,  found  in  various 
parts  of  the  world.  The  red  deer,  which  once  roamed  over  much  of  Britain,  is  now  in  the 
wild  state  confined  chiefly  to  the  Highlands  of  Scotland,  Exmoor,  part  of  County  Kerry  in 
Ireland,  and  various  islands  on  the  west  coast  of  Scotland.  A  good  male  specimen  will  stand 
about  4  feet  or  a  little  less  at  the  shoulder,  carry  antlers  bearing  twelve  or  fourteen  points, 
and  weigh  from  16  to  20  stone  clean — that  is,  with  the  heart,  liver,  and  lungs  taken  out. 
The  woodland  stags  of  Perthshire,  however,  not  infrequently  reach  25  stone,  while  Mr.  J.  G. 
Millais  mentions  a  stag,  killed  by  Colonel  the  Hon.  Alastair  Fraser  at  Beaufort,  Inverness-shire, 
which  scaled  30  stone  2  Ibs.  clean.  This  seems  to  be  the  heaviest  British  wild  stag  of  modern 
times.  The  summer  coat  is  short,  shining,  and  reddish  brown  in  hue  ;  in  winter  the  pelage  is 


PARK  BED   DEEE. 
The  typical  representative  of  the  entire  Deer  Tribe. 


276 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


thicker  and  rougher  and  greyish  brown  in  colour.  Stalking  the  red  deer  stag  in  its  native 
fastnesses  is  beyond  all  doubt  the  finest  wild  sport  now  left  to  the  inhabitants  of  these  islands. 
Mr.  J.  Gr.  Millais,  author  of  "British  Deer  and  their  Horns"  and  other  works,  himself  a 
first-rate  sportsman  in  many  parts  of  the  world,  compares  the  style  of  shooting  red  deer  in 
vogue  forty  or  fifty  years  ago  with  that  obtaining  in  the  Highlands  at  the  present  day.  "A 
stalker  in  Black  Mount,  Argyllshire,"  he  says,  "told  me  of  a  typical  day's  sport  in  which  he 
took  part  some  forty  years  ago.  Fox  Maule  and  Sir  Edwin  Landseer  were  the  two  rifles  (they 
frequently  stalked  in  pairs  at  that  time),  and,  on  the  side  of  Clashven,  Peter  Robertson,  the 
head  forester,  brought  them  within  eighty  yards  of  two  exceptionally  fine  stags.  Maule  fired  and 
missed,  as  did  also  Sir  Edwin  as  the  stags  moved  away ;  then,  on  a  signal  from  Robertson, 

Peter  McColl,  the  gillie,  slipped  the  hounds — 
the  two  best  ever  owned  by  the  late  Marquis  of 
Breadalbane,  and  whose  portraits  are  still  pre- 
served in  the  famous  picture  of  '  The  Deer 
Drive' — and  away  they  went  in  hot  pursuit 
of  the  deer.  An  end- on  chase  now  ensued, 
the  line  taken  being  due  east  down  the  great 
glen  towards  Loch  Dochart,  and  at  last  the 
stalkers  were  brought  to  a  standstill,  being 
fairly  exhausted  both  in  wind  and  limb.  At 
this  moment,  however,  four  dark  spots,  like 
small  rocks,  standing  out  at  the  point  of  a 
little  promontory  in  the  lake,  attracted  their 
attention,  and,  on  drawing  nearer,  they  saw,  to 
their  surprise,  each  of  the  big  stags  being 
held  at  bay  by  a  gallant  hound.  A  couple  of 
shots  then  settled  the  business,  and  so  ended 
what  was  then  considered  a  grand  day's  sport. 
No  doubt  it  was  most  exciting  to  see  the 
struggle  of  bone  and  sinew  between  two  such 
noble  quadrupeds,  but  it  was  not  rifle-shooting. 
To-day  the  gallant  but  disturbing  deer-hound 
has  given  place  to  the  cunning  and  obedient 
collie,  and  the  success  of  the  stalker  depends, 
for  the  most  part,  on  the  accuracy  of  his  rifle 
and  his  skill  in  using  it." 

Here  are  a  couple  of  sketches  of  modern 
stalking  taken  from  Mr.  Millais'  own  diary  : — 

"  Wednesday,  October  4th. — Started  for 
the  big  corrie  with  McColl,  and  saw  nothing 
till  we  got  to  the  Eagle  Hill.  On  this  were 

three  stags  and  about  twenty  hinds,  the  property  of  a  magnificent  fellow  carrying  one  of  the 
best  heads  I  have  ever  seen  on  Black  Mount.  For  some  time  McColl  thought  he  was  just 
a  bit  too  good  to  shoot,  for  the  very  best  in  this  forest  are  generally  left  for  stock  purposes. 
Finding,  however,,  that  he  was  not  Royal  [a  twelve-pointer],  my  companion  agreed  to  a  shot — 
that  is,  if  he  got  within  shooting  distance,  which  was  not  too  likely,  the  Eagle  Hill  being 
one  of  those  queer  places  where  back  eddies  are  carried  down  from  almost  every  '  airt '  from 
which  the  wind  is  blowing.  Luck  is  apparently  entirely  my  way  this  week,  so  far  at  any  rate. 
The  big  stag  was  very  '  kittle,'  frequently  roaring  and  keeping  his  hinds  moving  before  him 
along  the  hillside,  in  the  direction  of  another  corrie  running  at  right  angles,  the  entrance  to 
which,  if  reached,  would  checkmate  us.  A  quick,  stiff  climb,  and  a  dashing  piece  of  stalking 
on  the  part  of  McColl,  brought  us  in  front  of  the  herd  only  just  in  time,  for  I  had  hardly  got 


Photo  by  W.  P.  Dando] 

AN  ASIATIC  WAPITI. 


[Regent's  Park. 


All  the  races  of  the  wapiti  are  easily  recognisable  by  the  large  fourth  tine 
of  the  antlers  and  the  short  tail. 


Photo  by  the  Ihichess  of  Bedford] 


[Woburn  Abbey. 


AMERICAN  WAPITI. 

The  giant  deer  of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  formerly  very  plentiful,  now  scarce. 
277 


278 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


into  position  when  the  first 
few  hinds  moved  past  a 
hundred  yards  below  us. 
They  were  very  uneasy  and 
highly  suspicious,  but  fortu- 
nately did  not  stop ;  and  in 
another  moment,  to  my  joy, 
the  big  stag  came  slowly 
behind  them,  and  offered  a 
fair  broadside  in  the  very  spot 
where  I  should  have  wished 
him  to  stand.  The  bullet 
took  him  through  the  ribs, 
certainly  a  trifle  too  far  back, 
but  he  gave  in  at  once,  and 
roiled  150  yards  down  the 
hill,  fortunately  without  hurt- 
ing his  horns.  A  really  fine 
Highland  stag  in  his  prime; 
weight,  16  stone  2  Ibs.,  with 
a  good  wild  head  of  ten  points, 
and  good  cups  on  the  top." 
"  Thursday,  October  5tk. 
— We  negotiated  the  stifl 
climb,  and  McLeish,  leaving 
me  behind  a  rock  on  the 
summit,  returned  some 
distance  to  signal  directions 
to  the  pony-man.  He  came 
back  just  as  the  stag  returned 
roaring  down  the  pass  he  had 
ascended ;  and  as  the  mist 
was  blotting  out  the  land- 
scape, I  feared  he  would  come 
right  on  to  us  without  being 
seen,  but,  as  luck  would  have 
it,  he  stopped  and  recom- 
menced bellowing  within 
seventy  yards.  I  never  heard  a  stag  make  such  a  row,  but  nothing  of  him  could  we  see.  It 
was  most  exciting,  lying  flat  on  a  slab  of  rock,  hoping  devoutly  that  the  mist  would  rise,  if 
only  for  a  few  seconds.  The  tension  had  grown  extreme,  when  there  was  a  momentary  lift  in 
the  gloom,  and  I  made  out  the  dim  forms  of  the  deer  just  as  a  big  hind,  which  I  had  not 
noticed,  *  bruached '  loudly  within  twenty  yards  of  us.  The  outline  of  the  stag  was  barely 
visible  when,  after  carefully  aiming,  I  pressed  the  trigger,  knowing  that  a  moment  later  there 
would  be  no  second  chance.  At  the  shot  the  deer  at  once  disappeared,  but  I  felt  sure  I  had 
hit  him,  and,  on  following  the  tracks  for  some  fifty  yards,  there  he  lay  as  dead  as  a  door-nail. 
Weight,  13  stone  6  Ibs.;  a  wild  head  of  ten  points;  thin,  and  evidently  that  of  a  deer  on 
the  decline." 

In  England  the  wild  red  deer  are  hunted  with  stag-hounds  on  Exmoor,  and  first-rate  sport 
is  obtained  on  the  great  moorlands  of  Somerset  and  Devon.  During  the  last  fifty  years  the 
deer  have  much  increased  in  numbers,  and  no  less  than  three  packs — the  Devon  and 
Somerset,  Sir  John  Heathcoat-Amory's,  and  Mr.  Peter  Ormrod's — are  now  engaged  in  hunting 


Photo  by  Mr.  W.  Ran] 


[Philadelphia. 


AMEEICAN  WAPITI. 


The  dark  head,  fore-quarters,  and  under-parts,  so  distinctive  of  the  wapiti,  are  here  well  displayed. 


The    Deer    Tribe 


279 


them.  In  the  five  years  ending  in  1892,  276  deer  were  killed  by  the  Devon  and  Somerset 
hounds. 

The  young  of  the  red  deer  are  in  Europe  usually  dropped  in  June.  The  fawn  is  dexterously 
concealed  by  the  hind  amid  the  heather,  and  is  left  in  concealment  during  the  day.  Scrope, 
a  great  authority  on  these  animals,  states  that  the  hind  induces  her  fawn  to  lie  down  by 
pressure  of  the  nose  :  "  It  will  never  stir  or  lift  up  its  head  the  whole  of  the  day,  unless  you 
come  right  upon  it,  as  I  have  often  done  ;  it  lies  like  a  dog,  with  its  nose  to  its  tail.  The 
hind,  however,  although  she  often  separates  herself  from  the  young  fawn,  does  not  lose  sight  of 
its  welfare,  but  remains  at  a  distance  to  windward,  and  goes  to  its  succour  in  case  of  an  attack 
of  the  wild  cat  or  fox,  or  any  other  powerful  vermin." 

On  the  Continent  far  finer  examples  of  red  deer  are  to  be  found  than  in  the  British  Isles, 
and  the  antlers  and  records  of  weights  preserved  at  the  Castle  of  Moritzburg  in  Saxony,  and 
elsewhere,  show  that  two  hundred  years  ago  the  stags  of  Germany  were  far  superior  even  to 
those  of  the  present  day,  which  are  much  heavier  and  afford  finer  trophies  than  do  the 
Highland  red  deer.  Even  in  Germany,  however,  marked  deterioration  has  taken  place  during 
the  last  two  centuries.  A  stag,  for  example,  killed  by  the  Elector  of  Saxony  in  1646  weighed 
not  less  than  61  stone  11  Ibs. ;  while  from  the  Elector's  records  between  1611  and  1656  it 
appears  that  59  stags  exceeded  56  stone,  651  exceeded  48  stone,  2,679  exceeded  40  stone, 
and  4,139  exceeded  32  stone.  These  figures  are  given  by  Mr.  W.  A.  Baillie-Grohman,  a 
distinguished  sportsman,  in  a  very  interesting  chapter  contributed  to  the  "  Big  Game  Shooting  " 
volumes  of  the  Badminton  Library. 

This  deterioration  among  the  red  deer  of  the  forests  of  Central  and  Northern  Europe  is, 
however,  not  traceable  among  the  red  deer  of  the  wild  mountainous  regions  of  Austria-Hungary 


By  permission  of  the  New  York  Zoological  Society. 


AMERICAN  WAPITI. 
In  the  United  States  this  species  is  universally  miscalled  the  Elk. 


280 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


Photo  by  W.  P.  Dando] 


[Regent's  Park. 


ALTAI   WAPITI. 


This  is  one  of  several  Asiatic  forms  of  the  wapiti. 


and  South-eastern  Europe.  Here, 
at  the  present  day,  stags  of 
enormous  size  and  weight  are 
still  to  be  found.  In  the  Car- 
pathian Alps,  for  example,  red 
deer  stags  are  still  to  be  shot 
scaling  more  than  40  stone  (clean) 
in  weight.  Climate  and  feeding 
have,  of  course,  much  to  do  with 
the  weight  of  stags  and  the  size 
and  beauty  of  their  antlers.  The 
Carpathian  stags  have  enormous 
range,  rich  food,  and,  as  Mr.  Baillie- 
Grohman  points  out,  are  suffered 
during  the  summer  to  "  make 
undisturbed  raids  upon  the  rich 
agricultural  valleys  .  .  .  the  feudal 
sway  exercised  by  the  great  terri- 
torial magnates  permitting  the  deer 
to  trespass  upon  the  crops  with 
impunity,  and  thus  grow  to  be 
the  lustiest  of  their  race." 

In  addition  to  the  British 
Islands,  the  red  deer  of  Europe 
is  found  on  the  island  of  Hitteren 

on   the   western   coast  of  Norway,  in   the   south  of  Sweden,    and    in    Germany,  Kussia,  France, 
Spain,  Austria-Hungary,   Turkey,   and   Greece. 

In  Corsica  and  Sardinia  a  local  and  smaller  race  is  found,  probably  closely  allied  to  the 
stag  of  North  Africa.  The  BARBARY  STAG  is  somewhat  smaller  than  its  first  cousin  of  Europe, 
and  carries  antlers  which  usually  lack  the  second,  or  bez,  tine.  The  colour  of  this  stag  is  "a 
dark  sepia-brown,  a  little  lighter  and  greyer  on  the  back.  Faint  yellowish  spots  can  occasionally 
be  distinguished  on  the  fur  in  the  adults,"  says  Sir  Harry  Johnston.  The  hinds  are  of  the  same 
colour  as  the  stags,  but  lack  the  grey  tint  on  the  back.  These  fine  deer  are  found  in  Algeria 
and  Tunis,  their  habitat  being  chiefly  in  pine  and  cork  forests.  They  are  found  also  in  parts 
of  Morocco,  near  the  frontiers  of  Algeria  and  Tunis,  where  their  range  extends  from  near  the 
Mediterranean  to  the  verge  of  the  Sahara  Desert.  Formerly  the  Barbary  stag  was  hunted  by 
the  Arabs  on  horseback  by  the  aid  of  greyhounds.  In  Tunis,  where  it  is  protected  by  the 
French,  it  is  now  fairly  abundant. 

THE  MARAL  AND  KASHMIR  STAG. 

The  CASPIAN  RED  DEER,  or  MARAL,  is  a  magnificent  sub-species,  incomparably  the  finest 
representative  of  the  red  deer  species.  Standing  about  4  feet  6  inches  at  the  shoulder,  a  good 
stag  will  weigh  as  much  as  40  stone  clean,  in  exceptional  specimens  probably  a  good  deal  more. 
The  range  of  this  noble  beast  includes  the  Caspian  provinces  of  North  Persia,  Transcaucasia,  the 
Caucasus,  and  the  Crimea.  There  can  be  little  doubt  that  the  great  stags  shot  in  the  Galician 
Carpathians  are  Caspian  red  deer,  and  not  the  ordinary  red  deer  of  Western  Europe.  The 
red  deer  of  Turkey  is,  too,  no  doubt  referable  to  this  sub-species. 

Continuing  our  survey  of  typical  deer,  we  come  to  the  KASHMIR  STAG,  which  is  a  magnificent 
beast,  standing  as  much  as  4  feet  4  inches  at  the  shoulder,  and  carrying  antlers  approaching 
the  red  deer  type,  which  measure  in  fine  specimens  from  45  to  48  inches.  The  Kashmir  stag, 
often  miscalled  Barasingh  by  Indian  sportsmen,  makes  its  home  in  the  forest  regions  of  the 
north  side  of  the  Kashmir  Valley,  ranging  chiefly  on  altitudes  of  from  5,000  to  12,000  feel. 


The    Deer    Tribe 


281 


The  summer  coat  is  rufous  ;  in  winter  the  pelage  is  of  a  darkish  brown.  The  Yarkand  stag 
is  an  apparently  allied  species,  found  in  the  forests  bordering  on  the  Yarkand  or  Tarim  Eiver. 

Two  more  stags  close  the  list  of  those  Asiatic  deer  which  approximate  more  or  less  closely 
to  the  red  deer  type.  These  are  the  SHOU,  or  SIKHIM  STAG,  and  THOROLD'S  DEER,  concerning 
neither  of  which  animals  is  much  known  at  present.  The  shou,  of  which  only  the  head 
has  yet  been  brought  to  England,  appears  to  be  a  very  large  stag,  in  size  approximating  to 
the  gigantic  wapiti.  The  antlers  are  very  large,  extending  to  as  much  as  55  inches  over  the 
outer  curve.  So  far  as  is  at  present  known,  this  great  deer  is  found  in  the  country  "north  of 
Bhutan  and  the  valley  eastward  of  Chumbi,  which  drains  northward  into  the  Sangpo."  No 
European  hunter,  it  is  believed,  has  ever  yet  levelled  a  rifle  or  even  set  eyes  on  this  noble  deer. 

In  England  Thorold's  deer  is  known  from  two  specimens  shot  by  Dr.  W.  G.  Thorold, 
during  a  journey  across  Tibet,  at  an  elevation  of  about  13,500  feet.  The  high  Tibetan  plateau 
and  other  adjacent  parts  of  Central  Asia  form  the  habitat  of  this  species.  In  size  Thorold's 
deer  is  about  on  a  level  with  the  Kashmir  stag :  the  coat  is  dark  brown ;  the  antlers  are 
distinctive  in  their  backward  curve,  in  the  lack  of  the  bez  tine,  and  their  flattened  appearance. 
The  muzzle  and  chin  are  pure  white,  as  is  the  inner  surface  of  the  ears. 

WAPITI. 

WAPITI  are  the  giants  of  the  red  deer  group,  carrying  enormous  antlers,  and  attaining  as 
much  as  1,000  Ibs.  in  weight.  The  true  wapiti  of  North  America,  known  in  that  country 
chiefly  by  the  local  name  of  Elk,  carry  by  far  the  finest  and  the  heaviest  heads  of  any  of 
the  typical  deer  kind.  Mr.  Eowland  Ward,  in  his  book  "  Records  of  Big  Game,"  gives  the 
length  of  antlers  of  a  twelve-pointer  shot  in  the  Olympic  Mountains,  Washington  State,  as 
70  inches  over  the  outer  curve  ;  while  another  specimen,  also  a  twelve-pointer,  taken  from  a 
wapiti  shot  in  Wyoming,  measures  66  inches. 
Occasional  heads  bear  as  many  as  17,  19,  and 
even  20  tines,  or  points,  but  from  12  to  14 
points  are  more  usual  in  fine  average  heads. 
A  good  stag  will  stand  from  5  feet  4  inches 
to  5  feet  8  inches  at  the  shoulder.  Mag- 
nificently shaped,  splendid  in  form  and  bear- 
ing, as  in  the  size  of  its  antlers,  a  more  lordly 
creature  than  the  stag  wapiti  does  not  pace 
the  earth. 

"  The  wapiti,"  says  Colonel  Theodore 
Roosevelt  in  "  The  Encyclopaedia  of  Sport," 
"is  highly  polygamous,  and  during  the  rut 
the  master  bulls  gather  great  harems  about 
them  and  do  fierce  battle  with  one  another, 
while  the  weaker  bulls  are  driven  off  by 
themselves.  At  this  time  the  bulls  are 
comparatively  easy  to  approach,  because  they 
are  very  noisy,  incessantly  challenging  one 
another  by  night  and  day.  Settlers  and 
hunters  usually  speak  of  their  challenge  as 
'whistling,'  but  this  is  a  very  inadequate 
description.  The  challenge  consists  of  several 
notes,  first  rising  and  then  falling.  Heard 
near  by,  especially  among  unattractive  sur- 
roundings, it  is  not  particularly  impressive,  PhotobyG.W.WUion<bO>.,ltd.]  [Aberdeen. 

varying   in   tone   from    a    squeal   to   a   roar,  MANCHURIAN  WAPITI  CALLING. 

i  TJ.J.I  T^6  great  si26  of  the  fourth  tine,  characteristic  of  the  species,  is  very 

and    ending   with    grunts ;     but    at    a    little  noticeable. 

36 


282 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


distance  it  is  one  of  the  most  musical  sounds  in  nature,  sounding  like  some  beautiful  wind 
instrument.  Nothing  makes  the  heart  of  a  hunter  leap  and  thrill  like  the  challenge  of  a  wapiti 
bull,  as  it  comes  pealing  down  under  the  great  archways  of  the  mountain  pines,  through  the 
still,  frosty,  fall  weather ;  all  the  more  if  it  be  at  night,  under  the  full  moon,  and  if  there  is 
light  snow  on  the  ground." 

Wapiti  in  North  America  have  suffered  much  from  persecution,  and  it  is  now  difficult 
indeed  to  secure  fine  heads  like  those  that  fell  to  hunters  twenty  or  thirty  years  since.  Twelve 
or  fifteen  years  ago,  during  winter-time,  bands  of  wapiti  in  Colorado,  Wyoming,  and  Montana 
were  to  be  seen  gathered  together  to  the  number  of  thousands ;  now  a  score  or  two  is  the  rule, 
where  these  animals  are  to  be  found  at  all.  However,  by  those  who  know  where  to  go  for  their 
game,  and  can  hold  a  rifle  straight,  wapiti  are  still  to  be  obtained. 

Mr.  Selous,  in  his  "  Sport  and  Travel,  East  and  West,"  thus  describes  a  recent  experience : 
"After  a  few  seconds  of  agonising  suspense  a  noble-looking  monarch  of  the  mountains  walked 
slowly  from  the  shelter  of  the  pine-trees  and  followed  the  ladies  of  his  household,  who  had 
now  halted  about  fifty  yards  down  the  slope,  passing  in  quite  open  ground  not  more  than  sixty 
or  seventy  yards  below  me ;  and  as  the  stag  followed  them,  I  waited  until  he  came  past,  though 
he  had  been  well  within  shot  ever  since  he  came  out  from  among  the  trees.  As  he  did  not 
know  where  I  was,  and  probably  had  not  the  least  idea  why  the  hinds  had  trotted  off,  he  came 
along  very  leisurely,  looking  magnificent;  for  although  his  antlers  were  but  moderate  in  size, 
there  were  no  others  of  larger  proportions  near  to  dwarf  them,  and  even  a  very  ordinary 
wapiti  stag,  seen  at  short  range  in  its  native  wilds,  is  a  glorious  sight  to  look  upon.  I  let 
him  get  a  little  past  me,  and  then  put  one  of  Holland's  peg-bullets  just  behind  his  shoulder, 
low  down.  I  saw  by  the  convulsive  rush  forwards  that  he  made  that  he  was  struck  through 
the  heart,  but  I  did  not  expect  so  large  an  animal  to  collapse  so  quickly.  He  had  not  gone 
twenty  paces  after  being  hit,  when  he  fell  suddenly  right  on  to  the  prostrate  stem  of  a  large 
tree,  which  did  not,  however,  stop  him,  as  the  impetus  of  his  fall  carried  him  over  it,  and  he 
then  went  sliding  at  a  terrific  pace  down  the  steep  snow-slope  below,  and  disappeared  from 
sight  almost  immediately."  The  dead  wapiti  was  ultimately  found  500  feet  below,  with  the 
antlers,  strangely  enough,  scarcely  injured,  but  the  body  and  quarters  much  bruised  by  the 

fall.  He  was  "a  very  pretty 
fourteen-pointer  of  moderate 
size." 

A  fight  between  two 
wapiti  stags  is  a  terrific 
encounter.  "  With  heads 
lowered  between  their  fore 
feet,"  says  Mr.  Perry,  "the 
two  adversaries  walk  around, 
waiting  for  an  opening;  and 
when  one  is  thrown  off  his 
guard,  the  other  makes  a 
savage  rush ;  but  his  opponent 
instantly  recovers,  counters  the 
charge,  and  as  they  rush 
together  the  antlers  strike 
each  other  with  such  terrific 
force  that  the  report  can  be 
heard  for  a  long  distance. 
Slowly  retreating,  bellowing, 
grumbling,  and  grinding  their 
teeth  in  a  paroxysm  of  rage, 
they  again  circle  round.  .  .  . 


Photo  by  C.  Reid] 


[  Witiwm,  ff.f. 


AN   AXIS   HIXD. 
A  species  spotted  at  all  seasons. 


By  permission  of  the  Neio  York  Zoological  Society. 

A   STAG  AXIS,   OR   INDIAN  SPOTTED  DEER. 

One  of  the  most  common  animals  in  an  Indian  jungle  scene. 

283 


284 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


The  challenging  wapiti  usually  does  most  of  the  offensive  fighting  until  he  finds  (if  such  be 
the  case)  that  he  is  the  weaker;  then  he  suddenly  retires,  bellowing  as  he  goes."  In  the  old 
days  the  Indians  of  North  America  were  in  the  habit  of  organising  great  wapiti  drives.  Entire 
herds  were  surrounded  by  a  ring  of  mounted  men,  and  forced  over  precipices. 

In    recent    years   it    has    been   discovered    that  wapiti   are   also   denizens   of  certain   parts 
of  Asia.     At  least  two  sub-species — the  ALTAI  WAPITI  and  the  MANCHURIAN  WAPITI — have  thus 

far  been  identified.  The  former,  some- 
times known  as  the  Thian-shan  Stag, 
is  found  in  the  forests  of  the  Altai 
and  Thian-shan  Mountains,  west  of  the 
Mongolian  Desert.  Compared  with  its 
American  congener,  it  is  inferior  in  stature, 
has  shorter  legs,  a  longer  body,  and  pro- 
portionately larger  antlers,  though  none 
have  yet  approached  those  of  the  longest 
American  specimens.  These  splendid  stags, 
of  which  living  specimens  have  been 
maintained  by  the  Duke  of  Bedford  at 
Woburn,  are  captured  alive  by  the  Altai 
natives,  and  kept  in  domestication  for 
the  sake  of  their  antlers,  which  are  sold 
in  China  for  purposes  of  medicine  at  as 
much  as  the  value  of  £10  apiece. 

The  MANCHURIAN  WAPITI,  or  LUEH- 
DORF'S  STAG,  is  a  well-marked  local  race 
of  the  wapiti,  which  turns  reddish  in 


By  ptrmuiion  of  Professor  Bumpus] 

A  SPOTTED  ORIENTAL  DEEE. 
One  of  the  numerous  Philippine  species. 


[New  York. 


summer.  It  has  received  several  names, 
and  is  well  characterised  by  the  form 
of  its  antlers.  It  has  been  kept  alive 
in  the  Duke  of  Bedford's  park  at  Woburn 

Abbey.     It  seems  probable  that   the   Siberian   stags   will   eventually  be   referred   to  the  wapiti 

group. 

BOKHARA  DEER. 

A  fine  deer  from  Kussian  Turkestan  is  at  present  known  as  the  BOKHARA  DEER.  It  is 
said  to  resemble  the  shou  of  Northern  Bhutan  more  than  any  other  species,  and,  standing 
about  4  feet  at  the  shoulder,  is  of  an  ashen-grey  colour,  tinged  with  yellow.  A  living  specimen 
has  been  exhibited  at  Moscow,  and  it  is  believed  that  specimens  in  the  collection  of  the 
Duke  of  Bedford  belong  to  this  form. 

SIKAS. 

The  SIKAS,  as  typified  by  the  JAPANESE  DEER,  are  a  group  of  deer  of  moderate  size, 
distinguished  from  the  preceding  assemblage  by  antlers  of  simpler  type,  each  antler  having 
usually  four  points,  and  lacking  the  second,  or  bez,  tine.  The  coat  is  spotted  with  white, 
and  white  markings  appear  about  the  tail.  The  tail  is  much  longer  than  in  the  red  deer 
group.  The  Japanese  deer,  found  in  Japan  and  North  China,  is  a  beautiful  creature,  somewhat 
smaller  than  the  fallow  deer  of  Europe,  having  a  coat  of  brilliant  chestnut,  thickly  spotted  with 
white  in  curious  longitudinal  markings.  This  is  the  summer  pelage;  in  winter  the  colour 
changes  to  dark  brown,  and  the  spots  mostly  disappear.  When  in  the  velvet,  the  antlers  are 
of  a  bright  chestnut-red,  with  black  tips,  and  at  this  season  the  bucks  look  their  handsomest. 
A  good  head  measures  from  25  to  31  inches,  and  carries  usually  eight  points. 

The  MANCHURIAN  SIKA  may  be  looked  upon  as  a  larger  variety  of  the  Japanese  deer,  with 
a  somewhat  darker  coat. 


The    Deer    Tribe 


285 


Another  closely  allied  form  is  the  FORMOSAN  SIKA,  which  bears  a  rather  paler  summer 
coat,  and  carries  spots  in  its  winter  pelage.  This  deer  is  found  on  the  mountains  of  the  island 
from  which  it  takes  its  name.  The  few  antlers  which  have  reached  this  country  seem  to 
indicate  that  in  this  respect  this  deer  is  inferior  to  the  other  sikas.  The  longest  pair  yet 
recorded  measure  not  more  than  19|  inches. 

The  PEKIN  SIKA,  sometimes  known  as  Dybowski's  Deer,  is  considerably  larger  in  size  than 
the  rest  of  the  group,  standing  well  over  3  feet  at  the  shoulder.  The  horns  are  large  and 
rugged,  and  measure  as  much  as  27  inches  in  length.  The  coat  is  thick  and  shaggy,  and  well 
adapted  for  life  in  a  harsh  climate.  The  habitat  of  this  species  is  North-eastern  Manchuria 
and  the  borders  of  Korea. 

FALLOW  DEER. 

FALLOW  DEER  are,  perhaps,  to  English  people,  the  most  familiar  of  all  the  cervine  race, 
forming  as  they  do,  in  the  semi-domesticated  state,  the  adornments  of  most  of  our  parks.  The 
flesh  of  this  handsome  deer  furnishes  the  well-known  venison  of  this  country,  and  is  perhaps 
the  best-tasted  of  all  deer-meat.  A  good  fallow  buck  stands  about  3  feet  at  the  shoulder,  and 
weighs  (clean)  about  150  Ibs.,  though  specimens  have  been  shot  weighing  as  much  as  204  Ibs., 


Photo  by  C.  Reid] 


A  YOUNG  FALLOW  BUCK  OP  THE  BROWN  BREED. 

The  favourite  park-deer  of  England. 


[  Wishaw,  N.B. 


but  this  is  exceptional.  The  horns  are  strongly  palrnated.  Originally  this  deer  was  not 
indigenous  to  Britain,  but  is  often  said  to  have  been  introduced  by  the  Romans  from  Eastern 
Europe. 

The  COMMON  FALLOW  DEER  is  found  in  the  wild  state  in  Spain,  Portugal,  Greece,  Austria, 
Rhodes,  Sardinia,  Asia  Minor,  and  North  Palestine.  It  is  doubtful  whether,  as  has  been  stated, 
this  deer  ever  existed  in  modern  times  in  the  wild  state  in  North  Africa.  This  is  a  highly 
gregarious  species,  delighting  to  move  in  considerable  herds.  In  some  parts  of  Scotland  fallow 
deer  have  reverted  completely  to  the  wild  state,  and  afford  excellent  sport.  And  even  park- 


286 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


deer,  once  they  are  shot  at, 
exhibit  extraordinary  wariness 
and  cunning,  so  much  so  that 
curious  tricks  and  disguises 
have  often  to  be  resorted  to 
when  a  fat  buck  has  to  be 
shot  for  venison. 

The  beautiful  MESOPO- 
TAMIAN  FALLOW  DEER,  found 
in  the  mountains  of  Luristan, 
in  Mesopotamian  Persia,  is 
somewhat  larger  than  the 
common  species,  while  its 
coat  is  much  more  brightly 
coloured.  The  antlers  bear 
little  resemblance  to  those 
seen  in  the  park-deer  of 
this  country,  being  far  less 
palmated  and  spreading,  and 
more  vertical. 

The  enormous  horns  of 
the  extinct  deer  once  known 
as  IRISH  ELK  are  now  con- 
sidered by  naturalists  to  be 
those  of  a  gigantic  species 
of  fallow  deer.  By  the  kind- 
ness of  Mr.  J.  Gr.  Millais, 
I  am  enabled  to  give  the 
dimensions  of  a  pair  of  antlers 
of  one  of  these  wonderful 
beasts  from  his  museum. 
These  antlers  measure  in 
spread,  from  tip  to  tip,  9  feet 
4  inches  ;  length  round  inside 
of  right  horn,  6  feet;  round 
left  horn,  5  feet  8  inches, — 
a  marvellous  trophy,  truly. 
This  specimen  was  dug  up 

in  County  Waterford.  These  colossal  fallow  deer,  which  roamed  the  wastes  of  Ireland  in 
prehistoric  times,  must  have  afforded  fairly  exciting  sport  to  the  feebly  armed  human  beings 
who  then  existed. 

THE  SAMBAR,  OR  KUSINE  DEER. 

SAMBAR  may  be  shortly  described  as  large  deer,  having  rough,  shaggy  coats,  and  big. 
rugged  antlers  of  simple  type,  usually  displaying  but  three  tines.  They  belong  to  the  group 
known  as  Typical  Deer,  although  they  are  but  distantly  connected  with  the  red  deer.  The  colour 
of  the  coat  is  usually  dark  umber-brown,  marked  with  chestnut  about  the  rump  and  under-parts. 
The  well-known  sambar  of  India  stands  as  much  as  5  feet  4  inches  at  the  withers,  and  weighs, 
before  being  cleaned,  some  600  Ibs.  The  longest  pair  of  antlers  yet  recorded  (Eowland  Ward's 
"  Kecords  of  Big  Game ")  measure  48  inches  in  length  over  the  outer  curve.  Usually  to  be 
found  among  jungly,  wooded  hills  and  mountains  in  many  parts  of  India  and  Ceylon,  this  fine  stag 
affords  first-rate  sport,  and  is  much  sought  after  by  shikaris.  It  is  to  be  met  with  in  small 


Plioto  by  Miss  E.  J.  Beck. 


A  SAMBAK  STAG. 


The  only  Indian  deer  of  which  the  fawns  are  unspotted. 


The    Deer    Tribe 


287 


troops  of  from  four  to  a  dozen,  or  singly, 
while  during  the  rutting-season  the  animab 
rove  in  more  considerable  herds.  In  jungle 
and  thickly  forested  regions  it  is  a  hard 
matter  to  come  up  with  the  sambar  on  foot, 
and  it  is  there  usually  shot  from  elephant- 
back,  by  the  aid  of  beaters.  In  more 
open  hill  country  it  affords  good  stalking, 
hi  Ceylon  it  is  hunted  with  hounds,  and 
yields  in  this  way  also  capital  sport.  These 
animals  seem  to  revel  in  heat,  and  love 
to  shelter  themselves  in  hot,  stifling  valleys ; 
they  drink  only  once  in  two  or  three  days. 
Lt  is  a  noticeable  feature  in  connection 
with  the  antlers  of  the  sambar  that  they 
are  not  invariably  shed  annually,  as  with 
most  of  the  deer  kind.  In  Ceylon,  accord- 
ing to  Sir  Samuel  Baker,  they  are  shed 
"with  great  irregularity  every  third  or 
fourth  year." 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Reginald  Heber  Percy 
thus  Writes  concerning  the  sambar,  or  sam- 
bur :  "  Compared  with  the  Kashmir  stag, 
red  deer,  or  wapiti,  he  looks  an  ugly, 


Photo  by  the  Duchess  of  Bedford]  [  Woburn  Abbey. 

JAVAN  RUSA  STAG. 

This  deer  is  a  near  relative  of  the  sambar,  but  has  a  somewhat  different 
type  of  antler. 


Photo  by  Miss  E.  J.  Beck. 

FORMOSAN  SIKA  STAG. 
Like  its  Japanese  kindred,  this  deer  is  spotted  only  in  summer. 

coarse,  underbred  brute.  ...  As  the  sambur 
is  almost  entirely  nocturnal  in  its  habits,  it 
is  most  commonly  shot  in  drives,  and  in  many 
places  it  is  almost  impossible  to  obtain 
sambur  otherwise;  but  where  it  can  be 
managed,  stalking  is,  of  course,  far  better  fun. 
The  sportsman  should  be  on  his  ground  just 
before  daylight,  and  work  slowly  through  the 
forest  at  the  edge  of  the  feeding-grounds, 
taking  the  bottom  of  the  hill  if  there  are 
crops  on  the  plain  below,  or,  failing  these, 
the  edges  of  the  open  glades  in  the  forest. 
Presently,  if  there  are  any  sambur  about,  he 
will  hear  their  trumpet-like  call,  and,  creep- 
ing on,  see  two  or  three  dark  forms  moving 
among  the  trees.  In  the  grey  of  the  morn- 
ing it  is  often  very  hard  to  distinguish  a 
stag  from  a  hind,  and  the  writer  has  on 
several  occasions  had  to  wait,  after  viewing 
the  herd,  till  there  was  light  enough  to 
pick  his  stag.  Even  in  broad  daylight  it  is 
difficult  to  judge  the  size  of  a  stag's  horns 
as  he  stands  motionless  in  the  deep  gloom 
of  the  forest,  and  what  little  can  be  seen 


288 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


[  Woburn  Abbey. 


of  them  makes  them  look  three  times  their 
real  size — the  beam  is  so  massive  and  the 
tines    so   long.      The   stag,    too,  is  such  a 
big   beast,  standing   nearly  a   hand   taller 
than  a  barasingh,  that  if  seen  in  the  open 
he  looks  as  big  as  our  Irish  elk.  .  .  .  All 
driving    should    be   done    during  the  heat 
of   the    day,  when    the  animals   are   lying 
down  ;    trying    to   drive   when   beasts    are 
naturally  on   the    move    generally    results 
in  the  game  leaving   the    beat  before  the 
men   are    in    their   places.      It  may  sound 
ridiculous  for  a  man  to  get  up  a  tree  in 
a  sambur  drive,  but  he  is  far  more  likely 
to   get   an    easy   shot    in  this    position,  as 
the  deer  will  neither    see    nor  wind  him ; 
he   commands  more  ground,  and   he  runs 
no    risk    of   heading    back    the    wary    old 
hind    which    often    leads    the    herd,    the 
chances  being  that  if  he  is  rightly  posted 
the  herd  will  come  right   under   his  tree. 
Another  advantage   is  that,  his  fire  being 
plunging,  he  can  shoot  all  round  without 
danger  to  the  beaters.      In  some  parts  of 
the  Himalaya  native   shikaris  declare  that 
they   often    shoot    sambur   by    selecting    a 
likely    path    and    improvising   a    salt-lick, 
after  the  fashion  of  Laplanders  when  they 
want  to  catch  their  tame  reindeer."     The 
flesh  of  this  deer  is  coarse  and  only  moderately  good  eating. 

The  MALAYAN  SAMBAR,  found  from  Assam,  through  Burma,  to  the  Malay  Peninsula,  and  in 
Siam,  Hainan,  Borneo,  and  perhaps  Sumatra,  is  slightly  less  in  size  than  its  Indian  prototype ; 
the  antlers  vary  somewhat,  and  are  shorter  and  stouter.  The  longest  antlers  yet  recorded 
measure  30f  inches  over  the  outer  curve;  these  come  from  Borneo. 

The  FORMOSAN  SAMBAR,  sometimes  called  Swinhoe's  Deer,  is,  again,  closely  connected  with 
the  Malayan  sambar,  and  may  be  looked  upon  as  purely  a  local  race.  The  antlers  appear  to 
run  smaller,  the  best  recorded  examples  only  extending  to  19|  inches. 

The  LUZON  SAMBAR  (Philippines),  a  small  sub-species,  and  the  SZECHUAN  SAMBAR  (North- 
west China),  are  also  local  races  of  the  same  species.  This  last  seems  thus  far  to  occupy  the 
most  northerly  habitat  of  this  group. 

The  BASILAN  SAMBAR  (Philippines)  is,  like  its  congener  of  Luzon,  a  small  sub-species, 
standing  no  more  than  from  24  to  26  inches  at  the  shoulder,  of  slender  build,  and  with  the 
hindquarters  higher  than  the  withers.  The  best  antlers  yet  recorded  measure  no  more  than 
15|  inches.  It  is  interesting  to  note  that  as  the  island  of  Basilan  is  the  smallest  of  the 
Philippines,  so  is  this  sambar  by  far  the  smallest  of  its  group.  Its  restricted  habitat  has  no 
doubt  conduced,  during  long  ages,  to  bring  about  this  result. 

The  JAVAN  SAMBAR,  or  KUSA,  is  a  distinct  species,  found,  as  its  name  implies,  in  the  island 
of  Java.  The  antlers  are  somewhat  slender,  but  are,  next  to  those  of  the  sambar  of  India,  the 
longest  of  the  group.  The  best  recorded  pair  measure  35 £  inches,  while  another  pair  from 
Mauritius,  where  this  animal  has  been  introduced,  measure  half  an  inch  longer.  This  sambar 
is  smaller  than  the  great  sambar  of  India,  and  is  about  on  a  par  with  a  good  red  deer. 

The  MOLUCCAN   RUSA,  a   sub-species   somewhat    smaller   than   the   Javan    deer,  is   found   in 


Plwto  by  the  Duchess  of  MetJj'ord] 

HOG-DEER. 
The  smallest  Indian  representative  of  the  samhar  group. 


Photo  by  The  Duchexs  of  Hertford,  Woburn  Abbey. 

FALLOW     DEER. 

There  are  two  breeds  of  these  beautiful  deer  in  the  British  Isles ;  in  the  one  the  summer  coat  is  fawn 
*    dappled  with  white;  in  the  other  the  colour  is  dark  brown  at  all  seasons. 


The    Deer    Tribe 


289 


Celebes  and  certain  islands — Boru,  Batchian,  and  Amboina — in  the  Moluccan  group ;  while  the 
TIMOR  EUSA,  a  closely  allied  congener,  is  found  on  the  islands  of  Timor,  Semao,  and  Kambing. 
It  is  possible — nay,  even  probable — that  the  Malays  may,  in  times  gone  by,  have  introduced 
certain  of  these  rusine  deer  from  one  habitat  to  another.  Such,  at  least,  seems  to  be  the 
presumption  among  naturalists. 

Dr.  Guillemard,  in  that  charming  book  "  The  Cruise  of  the  Marchesa  "  (p.  357),  gives  some 
interesting  information  concerning  Moluccan  sambar  in  the  little-known  island  of  Batchian. 
The  inhabitants,  "  living  for  the  most  part  in  the  hills,  kill  and  smoke  the  deer,  and  bring  the 
meat  into  the  villages  for  sale.  We  were  fortunate  enough  to  assist  at  one  of  their  hunts,  in 
which  no  other  weapon  than  the  spear  is  used.  The  side  of  a  large  ravine,  which  had  been 
partially  cleared,  and  presented  a  confused  jumble  of  fallen  trees  and  low  brushwood,  was 
assigned  to  us  as  our  post,  and,  from  the  extensive  view  it  commanded,  we  were  able  later  in 
the  day  to  watch  one  run  almost  from  start  to  finish,  although  at  first  the  sport  appeared  to 
be  successful  in  every  direction  but  our  own.  At  length  a  stag  broke  covert  about  five 
hundred  yards  above  us,  and  descended  the  slopes  of  the  ravine,  but  shortly  afterwards  turned 
and  made  for  the  forest  again.  He  was  met  by  some  of  the  hunters  and  driven  back ;  but  the 
dogs  were  now  in  full  cry,  and  pressed  him  hard,  the  hunters  meanwhile  racing  at  their  utmosl 
speed  above,  in  order  to  prevent  his  regaining  the  jungle.  He  now  altered  his  direction,  and 
turned  down  once  more  towards  us;  but  the  fallen  trees  were  so  thick  that  the  dogs  gained 
rapidly  on  him.  He  made  one  more  effort  for  his  life  by  doubling,  but  it  was  too  late,  and 
in  another  minute  the  dogs  and  hunters  had  fairly  run  him  down." 

Deer  were  probably  the  earliest  animals  of  the  chase.  Their  bones  are  found  in  the  cave- 
dwellings  of  prehistoric  man,  and  some  of  the  earliest  efforts  at  drawing  represent  these  animals. 


tnoto  by  the  Ducliess  of  Bedford] 


YOUNG  MALE  SWAMP-DEER. 

This  species  is  the  Barasingh  of  the  natives  of  India.     It  is  by  no  means  addicted  to  swampy  localities. 


[  Woburn  Abbey. 


37 


290 


Animals    of    the    World 


Photo  by  Tort  £  Son]  [Netting  Hill. 

INDIAN   MUNTJAC. 

Sometimes  called  the  Barking-deer.    The  Indian  species 
stands  only  2  feet  high. 


OTHER  TYPICAL  DEER. 

So  numerous  are  the  typical  deer  that  they  are  not 
concluded  even  by  the  long  list  of  animals  already 
enumerated.  We  proceed  now  to  glance  briefly  at  the 
remainder  of  this  important  group. 

The  PHILIPPINE  SPOTTED  DEER,  or  PRINCE  ALFRED'S 
DEER,  is  a  small  but  extremely  handsome  species,  found 
in  the  islands  of  Samar  and  Leyte.  The  height  is  under 
30  inches;  the  colour  very  dark  brown,  spotted  with 
white,  the  under-parts,  chin,  and  upper  portion  of  the 
legs  also  white. 

Another  small  cervine  from  the  Philippine  group  is 
the  CALAMIANES  DEER,  a  darkish  brown  beast,  found  in 
the  island  of  that  name. 

The  little  BAVIAN  DEER,  another  island-deer,  from 
the  Bavian  group,  between  Borneo  and  Java,  should  also 
be  mentioned.  Very  little  is  known  of  the  habits  of 
these  three  deer,  and  few  specimens  even  of  their  skins 
and  horns  have  reached  Europe. 

The  HOG-DEER,  allied  to  the  last-named  species,  is 
an  animal  much  better  known,  found  as  it  is  in  many 
parts  of  India  and  Burma.  This  handsome  little  deer 
stands  from  24  to  28  inches  at  the  shoulder,  and  carries 
antlers  which  average  from  10  to  15  inches,  and  reach 
occasionally  as  much  as  21  or  22  inches — one  specimen 
is  recorded  measuring  23^  inches.  It  has  a  yellowish  or  reddish-brown  coat,  minutely  speckled 
with  white.  The  summer  coat  is  paler  and  marked  with  white  or  palish-brown  spots.  This 

sturdy  little  cleer  is  found  usually  in  long  grass,  and 
affords  excellent  snap-shooting ;  it  is  also  run  into  with 
dogs  and  speared  by  mounted  sportsmen.  Major  Fitz- 
Herbert  thus  describes  a  chase  of  this  kind :  "  He  [the 
little  stag]  stood  at  bay,  with  head  down  and  bristles 
raised  like  a  miniature  red  deer  of  Landseer's,  but  broke 
away  when  I  came  up.  Once  he  charged  the  bitch 
and  knocked  her  over.  He  stood  at  bay  two  or  three 
times?  :butf  I  could  never  get  a  spear  into  him  for  fear  of 
hurting  the  dogs.  At  last  one  time,  as  he  was  break- 
ing bay,  I  came  up,  and  he  charged  me  with  such 
force  as  to  break  one  of  his  horns  clean  off  against  the 
spear.  However,  I  struck  him  in  the  spine,  and  rolled 
him  over."  These  little  deer  have  quite  extraordinary 
pluck,  and  have  been  known  even  to  charge  and  wound 
a  horse. 

The  CHITAL,  or  INDIAN  SPOTTED  DEER,  often  called 
the  Axis  Deer,  a  very  beautiful  species,  is  the  common 
jungle-stag  of  India.  Standing  about  3  feet  or  a  little 
over,  its  lovely  coat  of  bright  reddish  fawn  is  thickly 
spotted  with  white  at  all  seasons  of  the  year.  The  horns 
are  somewhat  of  the  sambar  type,  and  measure  as  much 
as  36  or  38  inches  in  length  in  fine  specimens.  These 
exquisite  deer  are  often  found  in  considerable  herds,  and 
are  a  forest-loving  species. 


Photo  by  the  Duchess  of  Bedford,  Woburn  Abbey. 


YOUNG  MALE  CHINESE  WATER-DEER. 
One  of  the  few  deer  which  have  no  antlers. 


The    Deer    Tribe 


291 


..  J 

Photo  by  the  Duchess  of  Bedford}  [Wobur/i  Abbey. 

MALE   SIBERIAN  EOE. 

A  very  large  species  of  roebuck,  with   more  rugged  antlers  than  the 
European-roe. 


The  SWAMP-DEER,  the  true  Barasingh  of 
India,  as  distinguished  from  the  Kashmir 
stag,  which  is  often  loosely  called  Barasingh, 
is  a  plain-loving  species,  found  in  various 
parts  of  India,  and  characterised  by  hand- 
some antlers,  bearing  as  many  as  from  10  to 
16  points.  This  is  a  big,  heavy  deer,  stand- 
ing nearly  4  feet  at  the  withers,  and  weigh- 
ing as  much  as  40  stone.  The  summer  coat 
is  light  rufous,  more  or  less  spotted  with 
white.  The  winter  coat  is  yellowish  brown. 
A  near  relative  to  this  deer  is  SCHOMBURGK'S 
DEER,  found  in  Northern  Siam.  The  antlers 
of  this  stag  are  most  curiously  forked  and 
bifurcated. 

The  THAMIN,  or  ELD'S  DEER,  sometimes 
called  the  Brow-antlered  Deer,  is  another 
plains-deer,  found  chiefly  from  Manipur, 
through  Burma,  to  the  Malay  Peninsula. 
It  is  a  good-sized  species,  standing  about 
3  feet  9  inches  at  the  shoulder,  and  weighing 
as  much  as  17  stone.  The  large  antlers  are 
simple  in  type,  the  brow-tines  curving  down 
curiously  over  the  forehead ;  the  tail  is  sharp, 
and  the  neck  provided  with  a  mane,  the  young 
being  spotted.  A  Siamese  race  of  Eld's  deer,  found  in  Siam  and  Hainan,  differs  somewhat  from 
the  Burmese  type. 

THE  MUNTJACS. 

The  MUNTJACS,  or  BARKING-DEER,  are  a 
group  of  small  deer  found  in  India,  Burma, 
and  the  Malay  region.  The  INDIAN  MUNTJAC 
stands  about  2  feet  in  height,  and  weighs 
some  28  Ibs.  The  antlers,  which  average  5 
or  6  inches  in  length,  bear  two  points — 
brow-tine  and  beam ;  the  lower  portions,  or 
pedicles,  are  curiously  covered  with  hair,  and 
the  front  of  the  face  is  ribbed  or  ridged  in 
V  fashion.  The  general  colour  is  a  golden 
bay,  the  face  and  limbs  brown,  and  the  lower 
parts  white.  The  buck  has  sharp  tusks  in 
the  upper  jaw,  and,  at  a  pinch,  knows  how  to 
make  use  of  them.  A  shy,  stealthy  little 
creature,  the  muntjac  loves  dense  cover,  and 
the  sportsman  usually  obtains  but  a  quick 
snapshot  at  this  active  and  wary  little  deer 
as  it  flashes  across  him  much  as  does  a  bolting 
rabbit  scuttling  across  a  narrow  drive.  Local 
Indian  names  for  the  barking-deer  are  Jungle- 
sheep,  Ked  Hog-deer,  and  Eib-faced  Deer. 

Other  muntjacs,  varying  somewhat  from  the  photo  by  the  Duchess  of  Bedford}  [Wobum  Abbey. 

Indian  form,  are  the  HAIRY-FRONTED,  the  TENAS-  FEMALE  SIBERIAN  ROE. 

SERIM,  the  TIBETAN,  and  the  CHINESE  MUNTJACS.  The  absence  of  a  tail,  characteristic  of  all  roes,  is  well  shown. 


292 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


[Hamburg. 


TurrED  DEER. 

Near  relatives  of  the  odd  little  muntjacs 
are  the  TUFTED  DEER,  of  which  two  species, 
the  TIBETAN  and  MICHIE'S,  are  known  to 
naturalists.  The  former,  found  in  Eastern 
Tibet,  is  about  the  size  of  the  Indian  muntjac, 
and  has  a  coat  of  dark  chocolate-brown, 
curiously  speckled  on  the  face,  neck,  and  fore 
parts ;  the  frontal  tuft  is  nearly  black.  The 
antlers  of  the  bucks  of  both  this  and  Michie's 
deer  are  extremely  small,  scarcely  observable 
at  a  first  glance.  Both  species  have  long 
curving  tusks  projecting  from  the  upper  jaw. 
Michie's  tufted  deer  is  of  a  greyish-black 
or  iron-grey  colour,  the  face  and  neck  dark 
grey.  This  animal  is  found  in  the  reed-beds 
bordering  the  Ningpo  and  other  rivers  in 
Eastern  China. 

WATER-DEER. 

The  CHINESE  WATER-DEER  is  another 
diminutive  deer,  standing  no  more  than  20 
inches  at  the  shoulder.  The  body-colouring 
is  pale  rufous  yellow,  the  head  and  the  back 
of  the  ears  being  darker  in  hue  than  the  rest 
of  the  body.  The  males  carry  no  antlers. 
This  tiny  deer  is  found  in  North-east  China, 
and  is  well  known  on  the  islands  of  the 

Yangtse-kiang  Eiver.  It  loves  thick  cover,  especially  reeds  and  long  grass.  So  apt  is  it  at 
concealment,  that  at  Woburn  Abbey,  where  specimens  are  kept  in  a  paddock  of  long  tussocky 
grass,  hours  may  be  spent  without  catching  a  glimpse  of  it.  When  disturbed,  it  scurries  off 
with  short,  quick  leaps,  very  much  after  the  manner  of  the  hare.  The  males  of  the  Chinese 
deer,  like  the  muntjacs,  carry  long  curved  tusks  in  the  upper  jaw. 

ROE  DEER. 

The  EUROPEAN  EOE,  one  ot  the  handsomest  of  all  the  smaller  deer,  is  still  happily  found 
in  many  parts  of  Scotland.  In  England,  where  it  had  at  one  time  become  well-nigh  extinct, 
it  has  been  here  and  there  reintroduced  with  some  success.  In  Ireland  it  seems  never  to  have 
been  found.  On  the  Continent  its  range  is  wide,  extending  from  the  south  of  Sweden,  through 
France  and  Germany,  to  Italy,  Greece,  Turkey,  Austria-Hungary,  and  Spain.  Found  in 
Southern  Russia  and  the  Caucasus,  it  makes  its  way  eastward  as  far  as  North  Palestine  and 
Persia.  The  roe  stands,  in  good  adult  specimens,  26  inches  at  the  shoulder,  and  weighs  about 
60  Ibs.  The  handsome  arid  very  characteristic  horns  measure  in  good  specimens  from  10  to 
13  inches  over  the  outer  curve.  The  summer  coat  of  this  beautiful  little  deer  is  a  bright 
rufous  brown  ;  in  winter  a  darker  and  duller  brown,  with  a  notable  white  patch  about  the  tail. 
The  roe  is  always  more  or  less  a  wood-loving  creature.  In  winter,  especially,  it  seldom  cares 
to  quit  the  shelter  of  the  forest ;  in  summer,  however,  the  deer  wander  into  more  open  localities. 
The  fawns  are  born  generally  towards  the  end  of  May,  and  two  young  are  usually  produced.  In 
the  rutting-season  the  males  fight  savagely  with  one  another. 

Mr.  J.  G.  Millais  gives  an  instance  of  a  buck^  killed  in  one  of  these  desperate  battles,  in 
which  one  antler  of  the  victor,  having  penetrated  the  brain  of  the  vanquished  buck,  had  been 


By  permission  oj  Hen-  Carl  Hagenbeck] 

SIBERIAN  ROEBUCK. 
Shows  a  magnificent  pair  of  antlers. 


Photo  by  Ottomar  Anschutz] 


FEMALE    EUROPEAN    ROE   DEER. 
Though  common  in  the  Scotch  woods,  these  deer  are  rarely  seen,  keeping  close  in  cover  all  day. 

293 


294 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


broken  clean  off  and  remained  embedded  in  the  skull,  firmly  wedged  between  the  ears  and  the 
antlers.  "When  wounded  and  brought  to  bay  by  a  dog,"  says  Mr.  Millais,  "a  roebuck  brings 
into  play  both  head  and  fore  legs  in  his  defence,  using  his  horns  as  described,  and  striking  out 
with  his  legs,  more  as  if  to  push  off  his  antagonist  than  to  cause  a  forcible  blow,  for  he  gives 
no  shock,  as  a  hind  can.  A  doe,  too,  uses  her  fore  legs  and  boxes  with  her  head ;  and 
Mr.  Steel,  who  has  had  wide  experience  in  roe-shooting,  tells  me  that  he  has  seen  a  doe  use 
her  hind  legs  as  well.  The  bark  of  the  buck  is  loud,  sharp,  and  deep  in  tone,  not  unlike  what 
a  single  call  might  be  from  an  old  collie.  At  this  season,  too,  the  female  gives  an  amorous  call 
when  she  wishes  the  male  to  come  to  her.  If  he  is  within  hearing,  he  puts  his  neck  out 
straight  and  comes  full  speed  to  her.  In  Germany  many  roebucks  are  shot  by  alluring  them 
in  this  manner,  and  calls  exactly  imitating  her  voice  are  made  for  the  sportsman's  use.  One 
who  has  shot  roe  in  this  manner  tells  me  it  is  most  exciting  sport,  for  the  buck  comes  straight 


Photo  ly  the  Duchess  of  Bedford] 


[  Woburn  Abbey. 


PERE  DAVID'S  DEEK. 
Nineteen  of  these  deer  are  at  Woburn  Abbey  ;  three  are  at  Berlin.    It  is  believed  that  these  are  the  only  deer  of  this  species  in  existence. 

for  the   sound   at   full   speed,  and  will  only  stop  startled   for  a   second  when  he  discovers   the 
fraud,  and  as  often  as  not  he  passes  right  on  without  giving  a  chance." 

Eoe  have  a  curious  trick  of  chasing  one  another  in  play,  and  certain  roe-rings  in  the  woods 
near  Cawdor  Castle,  according  to  Mr.  Millais,  demonstrate  the  fact  that  for  ages  the  deer  have 
been  in  the  habit  of  disporting  themselves  in  these  strange  circles  over  the  same  pieces  of 
ground.  The  fact  is  very  singular.  "  These  curious  circles  are  most  used  in  early  summer ;  and 
Sutherland,  the  head  keeper,  tells  me,"  says  Mr.  Millais,  "  that  hardly  a  morning  passes  without 
there  being  one  or  two  roe  playing  in  the  rings,  and  sometimes  there  is  quite  a  party  of  them." 
Koe  feed  chiefly  on  grass ;  they  will  eat  also  rowan  (mountain-ash)  berries,  of  which  they  are 
especially  fond,  as  well  as  turnips,  grain,  heather  tops,  and  various  other  roots  and  plants. 
Certain  fungi,  to  which  they  are  partial,  they  take  much  pains  to  dig  out  with  their  sharp 
hoofs.  "A  roebuck  that  I  once  kept,"  says  Mr.  Millais,  "was  a  good  Scotchman,  though  he 
had  a  beastly  temper,  for  he  liked  nothing  so  much  as  oatmeal  porridge."  Roe  make  delightful 
pets,  but  the  bucks  are  not  to  be  trusted  after  the  third  year.  One  of  these  animals,  supposed 


The    Deer    Tribe 


295 


Photo  by  the  Duchess  of  Bedford]  [Woburn  Abbey. 

GROUP  OP  VIRGINIAN  DEER  (TWO  BUCKS,  FOUR  DOES). 

These  are  the  common  deer  of  the  Eastern  United  States. 


to  be  tame,  has  been  known 
to  kill  a  lad.  In  Scotland 
and  on  the  Continent  roe 
deer  are  usually  killed  by 
driving,  and  large  bags 
are  often  made.  Even 
within  recent  times,  as 
many  as  sixty-five  roebucks 
and  thirteen  hinds  have 
been  shot  at  Beaufort,  Lord 
Lovat's  place  in  Inverness- 
shire,  during  a  day's 
driving.  Shot-guns  are 
employed  for  this  kind  of 
sport.  Stalking  the  roe  is 
not  so  much  pursued  in 
Scotland  as  it  might  be. 
It  is  a  first-rate  and  most 
interesting  form  of  sport, 
and  in  certain  districts  the 
rifle  might  very  well  be 
substituted  for  the  shot- 
gun. "  Roe-stalking,"  says 
Mr.  Millais,  "possesses 

many  charms  of  its  own.  In  the  first  place,  you  can  enjoy  it  at  a  season  when  there  is  no 
other  shooting  going  on;  secondly,  it  takes  you  out  in  the  early  morning,  when  all  nature  is 
full  of  life  and  beauty,  and  before  the  heat  of  the  day  commences ;  and,  thirdly,  where  the 
chase  of  the  animal  is  systematically  conducted,  as  with  red  deer,  the  nature  of  the  sport  is 
everything  that  can  be  desired.  I  would  therefore  put  forward  a  plea  that  tenants  and  owners 
of  part-wood,  part-forest  lands  in  Argyll,  Inverness,  Ross,  and  Aberdeen  should  turn  their 
attention  to  stalking  the  roe  in  preference  to  killing  them  during  the  usual  winter  wood-shoots." 
Roe  deer  are  exceedingly  abundant  in  the  great  forest  regions  of  Germany  and  Austria- 
Hungary.  In  Austria  alone,  not  including  Hungary,  during  the  year  1892,  no  less  than  68,110 
of  these  beautiful  little  deer  were  shot  on  various  estates. 

The  SIBERIAN  ROE,  found  from  the  mountains  of  the  Altai  and  Turkestan  to  Siberia,  is  a 
somewhat  larger  species  than  its  European  cousin,  measuring  from  28  to  34  inches  at  the 
shoulder.  The  antlers  are  also  larger,  extending  to  as  much  as  16  and  even  18  inches  in 
measurement.  As  beseems  its  habitat,  the  coat  of  this  species  is  also  thicker  and  rougher 
than  is  the  case  with  the  European  roe.  Mr.  Lydekker  gives  some  interesting  particulars 
regarding  this  animal :  "  When  the  snows  of  November  fall,  the  roe  themselves  commence  to 
collect  in  herds,  which  may  number  from  300  to  500  head,  and  soon  after  migrate  southwards 
into  Manchuria,  whence  they  return  about  the  end  of  March  or  beginning  of  April.  On  the 
Ussuri,  which  they  must  cross,  they  are  at  this  season  slaughtered  in  thousands  by  the  hunters, 
without  regard  to  age  or  sex." 

One  other  species,  the  MANCHURIAN  ROE,  found  chiefly  in  mountainous  habitats,  whence 
it  never  descends,  should  be  noted.  This  is  a  smaller  deer  than  the  Siberian  roe,  and 
approximates  in  size  and  length  of  horn  to  the  European  race. 

PERE  DAVID'S  DEER. 

This  remarkable  animal,  which  apparently  bears  little  or  no  resemblance  to  any  of  the  other 
deer  of  the  Old  World,  has  been  placed  by  some  naturalists  between  the  roe  deer  and  the 
American  deer.  Its  habitat  is  North  China,  and,  strangely  enough,  it  seems  to  be  unrecognised 


296 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


By  permission  of  Professor  Bv.mpu*] 

A  MULE-DEER  FAWX. 


York. 


in  the  wild  state,  being  apparently  only 
known  in  China  in  the  Imperial  Park  at 
Pekin.  This  deer  approaches  in  size  the 
red  deer  of  Europe.  The  general  colouring 
is  greyish  brown,  white  about  the  eyes, 
ears,  rump,  and  under- parts ;  the  horns, 
which  lack  the  brow-tine,  are  very  singular 
in  shape,  and  measure  as  much  as  32 
inches  in  length  ;  the  tail  is  long,  reaching 
to  the  hocks  ;  the  gait  is  "  lolloping  "  and 
mule-like.  This  is  a  marsh-loving  species, 
and  at  Woburn  Abbey,  where  specimens 
are  kept,  "they  may  be  seen  wading  far 
into  the  lakes  and  even  swimming  in 
the  deeper  water." 

THE  AMERICAN  DEER. 

Excepting  always  the  elk,  wapiti, 
and  reindeer,  which  have  been  already 
described,  the  deer  of  North  and  South 
America  stand  quite  apart  from  those 
of  the  Old  World,  and  are  placed  in  a 
genus  of  their  own.  Usually  the  tail  is 
long,  and  the  brow-tine  is  always  wanting. 
The  most  familiar  species  is  the  common 
AMERICAN  DEER,  of  which  the  VIRGINIAN 
or  WHITE-TAILED  DEER  is  the  type.  This 
deer  is  found  in  varying  forms  in  both  continents,  and  was  regularly  hunted  by  the  ancient 
Mexicans  with  trained  pumas. 

The  well-known  VIRGINIAN  DEER,  found  in  Eastern  North  America,  and  believed  to  range 
as  far  south  as  Louisiana,  stands  a  trifle  over  3  feet  in  height,  and  weighs,  clean,  about  12  stone 
7  Ibs.  The  coloration  is  chestnut  in  summer,  bluish  grey  in  winter.  The  antlers  are  of  good 
size,  and  measure  as  much  as  27|  inches  in  length.  As  a  sporting  animal  the  white-tailed 
deer  is  not  popular.  Mr.  Clive  Phillipps-Wolley  describes  him  as  "  an  exasperating  little  beast," 
possessing  every  quality  which  a  deer  ought  not  to,  from  the  sportsman's  point  of  view.  "His 
haunts  are  river-bottoms,  in  choking,  blinding  bush,  and  his  habits  are  beastly.  No  one  could 
ever  expect  to  stalk  a  white-tail ;  if  you  want  to  get  one,  you  must  crawl."  Mr.  Selous,  in 
1897,  bagged  one  of  these  deer  somewhat  curiously.  "He  was  coming,"  he  writes,  "through 
the  scrubby,  rather  open  bush  straight,  towards  me  in  a  series  of  great  leaps,  rising,  1  think, 
quite  four  feet  from  the  ground  at  every  bound.  I  stood  absolutely  still,  thinking  to  fire  at 
him  just  as  he  jumped  the  stream  and  passed  me.  However,  he  came  so  straight  to  me  that, 
had  he  held  his  course,  he  must'  have  jumped  on  to  or  over  me.  But  when  little  more  than 
the  width  of  the  stream  separated  us — when  he  was  certainly  not  more  than  ten  yards  from  me — 
he  either  saw  or  winded  me,  and,  without  a  moment's  halt,  made  a  prodigious  leap  sideways. 
I  fired  at  him  when  he  was  in  the  air,  and  I  believe  quite  six  feet  above  the  ground." 
The  deer,  an  old  buck  with  a  good  head,  was  afterwards  picked  up  dead.  In  different  parts 
of  America,  as  far  south  as  Peru  and  Bolivia,  various  local  races  of  this  deer  are  to  be  found. 

TRUE'S  DEER  is  a  small  species,  not  unlike  the  Virginian  deer,  found  from  South  Mexico 
to  Costa  Eica.  The  antlers  are  "in  the  form  of  simple  spikes  directed  backwards,"  and  the 
body-colouring  is  in  summer  light  chestnut,  in  winter  brownish  grey.  Little  is  at  present 
known  of  this  species. 

The  MULE-DEER,  found  in  most  parts  of  North  America  west  of  the  Missouri,  as  far  south 


The  large  ears,  from  which  the  American  species  takes  its  name,  are  noticeable 
even  in  the  young. 


The    Deer    Tribe 


297 


as  Southern  California,  stands  about  3  feet  3  inches  at  the  shoulder,  and  weighs  over  17  stone 
clean.  It  carries  good  antlers,  measuring  as  much  as  30  inches,  and  in  colour  is  tawny  red  in 
summer,  brownish  grey  in  winter.  It  is  a  far  better  sporting  animal  than  the  sneaking  white- 
tailed  deer,  and  affords  excellent  stalking.  These  deer  are  still  abundant  in  many  localities. 
Mr.  Phillipps-Wolley  writes  thus  of  them  in  "  Big  Game  Shooting  "  :  "  Some  idea  of  the  number 
of  these  deer  in  British  Columbia  may  be  gathered  from  the  fact  that  in  one  district  I  have 
had  a  chance  of  killing  seventeen  separate  stags  in  an  hour's  still  hunt,  whilst  one  settler  in 
the  Similkameen  country  fed  his  hogs  on  deer-meat  through  a  whole  winter."  Four  races  of 
mule-deer— the  TYPICAL,  the  CALIFORNIAN,  the  LA  PAZ,  and  the  WESTERN  DESERT  race— have 
been  identified  by  naturalists. 

The  BLACK-TAILED  DEER  is  another  well-known  cervine  of  Western  North  America,  closely 
allied  to  the  mule-deer,  but  distinguished  from  that  species  by  its  inferior  size  and  its  much 
blacker  tail.  The  antlers,  as  a  rule,  run  somewhat  smaller  than  in  the  case  of  the  mule-deer. 
This,  too,  is  a  very  abundant  species,  affording  fairly  good  sport  (considering  its  liking  for 
timber  and  dense  bush)  and  excellent  venison. 

In  South  America  are  to  be  found  several  kinds  of  marsh-deer,  of  which  the  best  known  is 
the  handsome  MARSH-DEER,  having  its  range  from  Brazil  to  the  forest  country  of  the  Argentine 
Republic.  Little  is  known  of  this  and  other  South  American  deer  by  British  sportsmen.  The 
marsh-deer  is  almost  equal  in  size  to  the  red  deer  of  Scotland,  but  somewhat  less  stout  of 
build  ;  the  colouring  is  bright  chestnut  in  summer,  brown  in  winter  ;  the  coat  is  long  and 
coarse,  as  befits  a  swamp-loving  creature ;  the  antlers  usually  display  ten  points,  and  measure 
in  fine  specimens  as  much  as  23  or  24  inches. 

The  PAMPAS-DEER,  a  species  closely  allied  to  the  marsh-deer,  is  of  small  size,  standing 
about  2  feet  6  inches  at  the  shoulder.  The  antlers,  usually  three-pointed,  measure  no  more 
than  from  12  to  14  inches  in  fine  specimens.  This  deer  is  found  from  Brazil  to  Northern 
Patagonia. 

The  PERUVIAN  and  CHILIAN  GUEMALS  are  small  deer,  found  on  the  high  Andes,  and  are 
somewhat  inferior  in  size  to  the  Virginian  deer.  The  males  carry  simple  antlers  forming  a 
single  fork,  and  measuring  about  9  inches.  The  coat,  yellowish  brown  in  hue,  is  coarse,  thick. 


ermission  of  Professor  Bumpus\ 


VIRGINIAN   DEER. 

This  deer  is  the  best-known  representative  of  a  species  displaying  extraordinary  local  variation  in  size  and  colour. 


[New  York. 


38 


298 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


and  brittle.  The  Chilian 
guemal  is  found  also  in  most 
parts  of  Patagonia ;  unlike  its 
congener  of  Peru,  which 
delights  in  altitudes  of  from 
14,000  to  16,000  feet,  its 
habitat  lies  chiefly  in  deep 
valleys,  thick  forest,  and  even 
the  adjacent  plains,  to  which 
it  resorts  in  winter. 

The  BROCKETS,  of  which 
seven  species  are  found  in 
South  and  Central  America 
and  Trinidad,  are  small  deer, 
having  spike-like  antlers  and 
tufted  crowns.  The  largest  is 
the  KED  BROCKET,  found  in 
Guiana,  Brazil,  and  Paraguay, 
which  stands  27  inches  at  the 
shoulder.  The  body-colouring 
is  brownish  red.  Like  most 
of  the  group,  this  brocket  is 
extremely  shy  ;  although  fond 
of  dense  covert,  it  is  found 
also  on  open  campos.  The 
PYGMY  BROCKET,  a  tiny  dark 
brown  deerlet,  less  than  19 
inches  in  height,  found  in 
Central  Brazil,  is  the  smallest 
of  these  very  small  deer. 

Two      other     diminutive 

deer,  known  as  PUDUS,  closely  allied  to  the  brockets,  are  found  in  South  America.  These  are 
the  CHILIAN  and  ECUADOR  PUDUS,  of  which  the  former  is  no  more  than  13|  inches  in  height, 
the  latter  about  14  or  15  inches.  Little  is  known  of  the  history  and  life  habits  of  these 
charming  little  creatures,  one  of  which,  the  Chilian  species,  has  occasionally  been  seen  in  the 
Zoological  Society's  Gardens. 

THE  MUSK-DEER. 

This  brief  account  of  the  deer  of  the  world  closes  with  the  MUSK-DEER,  which  differ  from 
almost  all  others  of  their  kind — the  Chinese  water-deer  being  the  sole  exception — in  the 
absence  of  antlers.  In  place  of  these  defensive  and  offensive  weapons,  nature  has  provided  the 
musk-deer  with  long  canine  tusks,  projecting  downwards  from  the  upper  jaw.  The  musk,  from 
which  these  curious  deer  take  their  name,  is  secreted  during  the  rutting-season — in  the  male 
only — in  a  pouch  or  gland  contained  in  the  skin  of  the  stomach. 

The  well-known  HIMALAYAN  MUSK-DEER  is  a  stout,  heavily  made  deer  for  its  size,  measuring 
20  inches  at  the  shoulder,  about  2  inches  higher  at  the  rump,  and  having  a  coat  of  coarse, 
brittle  hair  of  a  dark  brown  colour.  This  musk-deer,  which  is  nowadays  by  no  means  common 
is  found  in  the  forests  of  the  Himalaya,  Tibet,  Siberia,  and  Western  China,  often  at  altitudes 
of  about  8,000  feet.  These  animals  are  extraordinary  mountaineers,  active,  daring,  and 
apparently  quite  unconscious  of  or  indifferent  to  danger. 

Another  species,  the  KANSU  MUSK-DEER,  found  in  the  province  of  Kansu,  China,  has  only 
been  discovered  within  the  last  ten  years.  Concerning  this  deer  very  little  is  at  present  known. 
In  general  characteristics  it  resembles  its  more  familiar  congener  of  the  Himalaya. 


permission  of  the  New  York  Zoological  Society. 

MULE-DEER  STAG. 
Shows  the  large  blackish-brown  patch  on  the  forehead,  so  distinctive  of  the  species. 


The    Deer    Tribe 


299 


A  WORD  should  be 
said  upon  the  subject 
of  the  acclimatisation  of 
various  members  of  the 
Deer  Tribe  in  countries 
which  are  distant  from 
their  native  ground,  but 
in  which  they  are  found 
to  thrive  and  breed, 
some  with  greater  and 
some  with  less  success. 
It  will  be  seen  that 
several  of  the  illustrations 
in  this  chapter  are  taken 
from  deer  living  in 
natural  conditions  at 
Woburn  Abbey,  the  seat 
of  the  Duke  of  Bedford. 
Others  were  photographed 
out  of  doors  in  zoologi- 
cal parks  or  private 
menageries.  There  is  a 
considerable  degree  of 
transferability  among 
deer,  not  only  among 


Photo  by  the  Duchess  of  Bedford] 


[  Woburn  Abbey. 


YOUNG  MARSH-DEER. 


A  very  elegant  South  American  species.      The  main  colour  is  a  bright  chestnut,  with  the  lower  part 
of  the  legs  black.    The  insides  of  the  ears  are  filled  with  white  hair,  looking  like  silver  filigree. 


those  found  in  temperate  or  northern  regions,  but  also  those  which  inhabit  the  tropical  jungles 
of  Southern  India. 

The  Axis,  or  Chital  Deer  of  India,  is  the  most  striking  example.  It  lives  in  the  hot 
jungles,  where  it  is  the  usual  food  of  the  tiger.  Yet  it  has  been  transferred  to  the  forests  of 
France  and  to  English  parks,  and  not  only  lives,  but  breeds  and  increases  in  numbers.  It  is 
kept  in  this  country  mainly  at  "Woburn  Abbey,  and  at  Haggerston  Castle,  in  Northumberland. 
In  France  and  Germany  herds  of  axis  deer  have  been  maintained  long  enough  to  observe  a 
curious  and  noteworthy  incident  in  acclimatisation.  The  axis  deer  breeds  naturally  in  October, 
after  the  Indian  rainy  season.  This  habit,  if  persisted  in  in  Europe,  would  expose  the  fawn 
to  the  rigours  of  the  French  or  English  winter.  Gradually  and  after  some  time  the  herds 
become  irregular  in  the  time  of  reproduction,  and  later  produce  the  fawns  in  June,  at  the 
time  which  is  best  suited  to  their  survival.  This  is  a  real  instance  of  acclimatisation. 

The  Japanese  Deer,  or  Sika,  was  introduced  into  the  park  at  Powerscourt  by  Viscount 
Powerscourt  some  thirty  years  ago.  Now  it  is  one  of  the  commonest  of  recently  introduced 
park-deer  both  in  this  country  and  in  France.  The  venison  is  excellent,  and  the  herds  are 
prolific.  The  stags  are  small,  but  very  strong,  and  at  Powerscourt  always  get  the  better  of 
the  red  deer  stags,  and  sometimes  carry  off  their  hinds.  Wapiti  Deer  are  kept  in  several 
English  parks,  but  so  far  the  Sambar  has  proved  a  failure.  Hog-deer  and  Chinese  Water-deer 
do  very  well  both  in  England  and  France. 

But  it  is  in  New  Zealand  that  the  best  results  have  been  obtained  with  imported  deer. 
The  English  Ked  Deer,  some  of  which  were  originally  sent  out  by  the  Prince  Consort,  reinforced 
by  some  of  the  same  species  bred  in  Australia,  have  become  indigenous.  They  grow  far  faster 
and  to  a  larger  size  than  those  on  the  Scotch  moors,  and  rival  the  great  stags  of  the 
Carpathians.  The  antlers  also  increase  in  size  at  an  abnormal  rate.  Licences  are  regularly 
issued  to  stalk  and  shoot  these  deer,  which,  like  the  brown  trout  and  the  pheasant,  are  now 
among  the  stock  of  established  wild  fauna.  Moose  and  a  few  Sambar  stags  and  herds  have 
also  been  turned  out  in  New  Zealand.  The  latter  are  said  to  be  doing  well. 


300 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


There    is    no    particular   reason   why   the 
deer  of   cold    countries    should    not   be   inter- 
changed ;    they    seem    to    have    the    natural 
adaptability  of  oxen.       But   it  is  not  a  little 
surprising  that  the  species  from  warm  climates 
should  nourish  in  damp  and  cold  ones.     The 
axis   deer  would   be    a    real    addition    to   the 
fauna   of   the    great    European    forests,    if    it 
is   found   that    it    survives   the    winter    snows 
without    some  form   of  artificial   shelter.     No 
one    seems    to    have    considered    the    advisa- 
bility of  introducing  the  mule-deer   into   the 
Central  European  woods.     It  is  a  much  finer 
animal  than  the  fallow  buck,  and  the  venison 
is    excellent.       In   those    woods    where   fallow 
deer    are    preserved    in    a   wild    state,    as    on 
many    of    the    German    Emperor's    sporting- 
estates,    the   mule-deer  would    be    a  far  more 
ornamental   animal.       Few  people  know  what 
immense    herds   of    red   and   fallow   deer,    as 
well    as    of    wild    boars,    still     exist,     under 
careful    preservation,    in    the    forests    of    the 
great  German,  Austrian,  and  Russian  princes, 
and   in   the   royal   forests   of  their   respective 
countries. 

When  the  Kaiser  holds  his  great  Court 
hunting-parties,  to  which  the  guests  all  come 
dressed  in  the  uniform  of  the  Order  of 
St.  Hubert,  as  many  as  200  deer  are  shot  in  a  day.  They  are  driven  past  the  guns  by 
beaters.  After  the  day's  sport  is  over  all  the  antlers  are  wreathed  with  boughs  of  spruce  fir, 
and  the  stags  laid  out  like  rabbits  after  an  English  battue. 

It  is  rather  surprising  that  only  one  species  of  deer  has  been  entirely  domesticated — viz. 
the  Reindeer.  Deer's  meat  is  as  highly  prized  as  that  of  any  other  game,  perhaps  even  more 
so.  There  is  almost  no  part  of  the  animal  which  is  not  useful.  The  horns  are  valuable  for 
knife-handles,  and  always  command  a  good  price ;  they  were  prized  even  by  prehistoric  man, 
who  converted  them  into  pick-axes,  and  made  spear-heads  and  daggers  of  them.  The  leather  of 
the  hide  makes  the  softest  and  best  of  all  hunting-garments :  the  American  Indian  or  trapper 
always  wears,  or  used  to  wear,  a  deer-skin  shirt  and  deer-skin  leggings,  made  as  exquisitely  soft 
as  chamois  leather  by  a  process  known  to  the  squaws.  At  the  present  time  all  the  best  gloves 
are  made  of  doe-skin ;  they  are  far  the  most  costly  of  any  gloves.  Doe-skin  breeches  are 
also  a  luxurious  garment  to  ride  in.  For  ornamental  rugs  few  skins  beat  those  of  the  Dappled 
Deer,  laid  on  the  floor  of  some  finely  furnished  hall  or  room. 

Thus  we  have  the  curious  spectacle  of  the  wild  men  of  the  Far  North,  the  Lapps  and 
Ostiaks,  taming  and  keeping  in  domestication  great  herds  of  deer,  milking  them,  using  them 
as  beasts  of  draught,  and  feeding  on  their  flesh,  while  far  more  civilised  races  in  the  South  have 
not  taken  the  trouble  to  do  so.  The  reason  is  not  easy  to  surmise,  unless  it  be  that  the  idea 
of  making  use  of  the  Deer  Tribe  solely  as  beasts  of  the  chase  was  so  rooted  in  the  European 
ruling  races,  and  their  kings  and  nobles,  that  the  agriculturist  never  had  a  chance  of  trying 
to  tame  and  use  them  for  other  purposes.  It  is  certain  that  during  the  yMiddle  Ages  law  and 
custom  made  any  such  attempt  quite  impossible.  The  deer  were  a  valuible  sporting  asset,  so 
hedged  round  with  an  atmosphere  of  feudal  privilege,  that  to  convert/them  into  something 
useful  to  the  common  people  would  have  been  regarded  as  an  insult  t/  the  powers  that  were. 


Photo  by  the  Duchess  of  Bedford]  [  Woburn  Abbey, 

YOUNG   HIMALAYAN  MUSK-DEER. 

The  male   carries  a  pouch  on  the  abdomen,  from   which  the  musk  is 
obtained.    There  are  no  antlers. 


* 


3C1 


CHAPTER     XVIII. 


Photo  by  E.  Landor] 


WHITE  CAMEL. 


A  light  sandy  is  the  common  colour,  though  white,  grey,  brown,  and 
black  occur  ;  but  black  camels  are  held  by  the  Arabs  to  be  worthless. 


THE   CAMEL   TRIBE  AND   THE   CHEVROTAINS. 

BY   W.   P.   PYCRAFT,   A.L.S.,   P.Z.S. 

r  I  THE  Camels  and  Llamas,  constituting  the 
_L      present   group,    form    a    very   distinct 
section    of    the    great    assemblage   of 
animals   known   as   the   Ruminants,  or   Cud- 
chewers.       The    Camel    Tribe    are    peculiar 
amongst   the   Ruminants   in  that  they  never 
possess    horns,    and   in   that   the    stomach  is 
only  divided  into  three  instead  of  four  com- 
partments— this   division   into   compartments 
being  intimately  connected  with  the  ruminat- 
ing    habit.      Furthermore,    the    upper    jaw 
bears    cutting-teeth,    or     "front    teeth,"    as 
they  are  popularly  called :    though    the   full 
set   (three    pairs)   is    only   complete   in   the 
young,  in   the   adult  but  one  pair  remains, 
the  others  being  shed.     The  canine  or  "  eye  " 
teeth    are    also    peculiar    in    their    position, 
those   of  the  lower  jaw  being   separated  from   the    cutting-teeth   by  a  very  considerable   gap. 
In  the  structure  of  the  feet  the  Camel  Tribe  are  no  less   peculiar;    indeed,  it  is   on   this 
character  that  the  scientific  name  of  the  group  is  founded.     Only  two  toes  are  present;  these 
are  of  equal  size,  and,  instead  of  being  protected  by  hoofs,  are  provided  with  a  hardened  skin, 
covering  a  cushion-like  pad,  which  expands  when  the  weight  of  the   body  is  thrown  upon   the 
foot,  as  in  walking.     This  is   an   admirable   adaptation  for  walking  on  soft  and  yielding  sands. 
Hoofs  are  represented  only  by  a  pair  of  broad  nails. 

The  three-chambered  stomach  is  remark- 
able because  the  chamber  known  as  the 
"paunch"  lodges  in  its  walls  a  large  collec- 
tion of  "water-cells,"  in  which  can  be  stored 
as  much  as  a  gallon  and  a  half  of  water. 
This  faculty  of  storing  water  is  invaluable 
to  an  animal  which  has  often  to  subsist  for 
days  on  absolutely  waterless  deserts. 

Note  the  slit-like  nostrils  in  the  illus- 
tration of  the  Bactrian  Camel  on  page  306. 
These  can  be  closed  at  the  will  of  the  animal, 
a  useful  precaution  against  the  entrance  of 
sand  during  the  violent  sand-storms  which 
often  arise  in  the  desert. 

The  True  Camels  are  distinguished  by 
the  possession  of  a  hump  or  humps :  there 
are  never  more  than  two.  It  is  in  these 
humps  that  the  camel  was  popularly  supposed 


Photo  ly  Cliarles  K 


[Aldershot. 


ARABIAN  CAMEL. 


This  individual  belongs  to  the  heavy  breed  employed  for  carrying 
merchandise  and  baggage. 


302 


The    Camel    Tribe    and    the    Chevrotains 


303 


to  store  water ;  in  reality  they  are  huge  masses  of  fat, 
serving  as  a  reserve  store  of  food.  The  accumulation 
of  fat  for  this  purpose  is  a  common  feature  amongst 
the  Mammalia.  Most  animals  which  hibernate,  or  lay  up 
and  sleep  during  the  winter,  store  up  fat;  but,  except  in 
the  camel,  it  is  distributed  more  or  less  evenly  over  the 
body.  With  hard  work  or  bad  feeding  the  camel's  hump 
dwindles  almost  to  nothing.  When  on  the  eve  of  a  long 
journey,  the  Arab  looks  anxiously  to  the  state  of  this  hump, 
for  on  the  size  of  this  depends  the  animal's  condition  and 
ability  to  undertake  the  march. 

The  Arabian  camel  as  a  wild  animal  has  long  since 
been  extinct.  Of  the  hordes  of  so-called  wild  camels  which 
abound  in  the  desert  regions  of  Central  Asia  (Gobi  Steppe), 
some  are  probably  descendants  of  domesticated  animals 
which  have  escaped  from  captivity,  but  others  may  be 
aboriginally  wild.  From  the  evidence  of  fossil  camels,  there 
seems  little  doubt  that  this  animal  originated  in  North 
America — one  branch  of  the  family  (the  Llamas)  migrating 
into  South  America,  and  the  other  (the  Camels)  crossing 
Bering  Sea  into  the  Old  World. 


THE  TRUE  CAMEL. 

Before  proceeding  further,  it  may  be  well  to  refer  to 
the  confusion  which  exists  in  the  use  of  the  names  Camel 
and  Dromedary.  The  latter  name  seems  popularly  to  be 
applied  to  the  two-humped  species,  the  name  Camel  being  reserved  for  the  one  with  a  single 
hump.  This  is  a  mistake.  The  DROMEDARY  is  a  swift  breed  of  riding-camel  of  the  one- 
humped  species,  and  is  so  called  to  distinguish  it  from  its  slower  brother,  the  Pack-camel,  or 


Photo  by  York  &  Son}  [Sotting  Hill. 

A  CAMEL. 

A  half-breed  between  the  Arabian  and  Bactrian 
species. 


Photo  by  W.  Reid] 


A   STRING   OP  CAMELS  NEAR  PORT   SAID. 
These  are  the  typical  desert-camels  of  the  East. 


304 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


Baggage-camel.  The  pack-camel,  it  is  interesting  to  note,  has  been  introduced  into  Australia, 
where  it  has  proved  invaluable  in  crossing  the  vast  waterless  deserts,  on  account  of  its  power 
to  exist  for  long  periods  without  drinking. 

The  TRUE  or  ARABIAN  CAMEL  is  found  in  a  domesticated  state  in  Africa  and  Asia,  and,  as 
we  have  just  indicated,  belongs  to  the  one-humped  species.  It  is  a  long-limbed,  short>haired 
animal,  standing  as  much  a*  7  feet  high.  \s  a  wild  animal  it  is  extinct.  Much  mystery, 

indeed,  surrounds  the  question  of  its  origin.  It 
has  been  suggested  that  the  Arabian  camel,  or 
its  immediate  parent,  may  have  sprung  from  an 
Indian  ancestor,  and  thence  made  its  way  through 
Arabia  and  Syria  into  Northern  Africa. 

Not  only  is  the  camel  indispensable  as  a 
beast  of  burden,  but  it  is  esteemed  also  for  its 

(jRj  hair,    its    flesh,    bones,    and    milk.      The   hair    is 

woven  into  cloth.  In  some  parts  of  India  the 
bones  are  used  instead  of  ivory  for  inlaid  work. 
The  milk  is  unusually  thick  and  rich,  so  much 
so  that  it  cannot  be  used  for  tea  or  coffee,  as  it 
curdles  when  mixed  with  either. 

The  camel  is  popularly  supposed  to  be  *. 
very  docile  animal;  but  those  who  speak  from 
experience  declare  it  to  be  stupid,  surly,  and 
vicious  to  the  last  degree.  It  is,  however,  not 
entirely  void  of  understanding,  and  apparently 
cherishes  feelings  of  revenge,  as  the  following 
story  shows :  "  A  camel,  working  in  an  oil-mill, 
was  severely  beaten  by  its  driver.  Perceiving 

that  the  camel  had  treasured  up  the  injury,  and  was  only  waiting  a  favourable  opportunity 
for  revenge,  he  kept  a  strict  watch  upon  the  animal.  Time  passed  away  ;  the  camel,  perceiving 
it  was  watched,  was  quiet  and  obedient,  and  the  driver  began  to  think  the  beating  was 
forgotten,  when  one  night,  after  the  lapse  of  several  months,  the  man  was  sleeping  on  a 
raised  platform  in  the  mill,  whilst  the  camel,  as  is  customary,  was  stabled  in  a  corner. 
Happening  to  awake,  the  driver  observed  by  the  bright  moonlight  that,  when  all  was  quiet, 
the  animal  looked  cautiously  round,  rose  softly,  and,  stealing  towards  a  spot  where  a  bundle 
of  clothes  and  a  bernous,  thrown  carelessly  on  the  ground,  resembled  a  sleeping  figure,  cast 
itself  with  violence  upon  them,  rolling  with  all  its  weight,  and  tearing  them  most  viciously 
with  its  teeth.  Satisfied  that  revenge  was  complete,  the  camel  was  returning  to  its  corner, 
when  the  driver  sat  up  and  spoke.  At  the  sound  of  his  voice,  perceiving  the  mistake  it  had 
made,  the  animal  was  so  mortified  at  the  failure  and  discovery  of  its  scheme,  that  it  dashed 
its  head  against  the  wall  and  died  on  the  spot." 

It  is  said  that  when  camels  pass  a  mounted  man  in  a  narrow  path  they  will  turn  their 
heads  suddenly  round  and  endeavour  to  inflict  a  bite  on  the  rider's  arm  or  shoulder.  This 
is  naturally  much  dreaded,  as  a  camel's  bite  is  particularly  severe. 

Much  care  has  been  spent  in  the  breeding  of  the  camel.  "  In  the  Sahara  Desert,"  says 
Canon  Tristram,  "  the  Tourareg  is  as  careful  in  the  selection  of  his  breeding  mahari  (a  fine 
race  of  the  dromedary)  as  the  Arab  is  in  that  of  his  horse.  The  pedigrees  are  handed  down, 
and  many  a  dromedary  can  boast  a  genealogy  far  longer  than  the  descendants  of  the  Darley 
Arabian"  (page  202). 

THE  BACTRIAN  CAMEL. 

This  species  is  often  called  the  Dromedary ;  but,  as  we  have  already  remarked,  this  is  an 
error.  The  dromedary  is  a  swift  breed  of  the  Arabian  camel.  The  BACTRIAN  CAMEL  may  be 


Photo  l>y  the  Duchess  of  Bedford]  [iroburn  Alley. 

HEAD   OF   BACTRIAN   CAMEL. 

The  hair  of  this  species  is  used  to  felt  into  material  for  tents.  It 
is  longest  on  the  top  of  the  head,  neck,  humps,  and  parts  of  the 
fore  limbs. 


Photo  by  the  Duchess  of  Bedford]  [  Woburn  Abbey. 

AN  OLD   MALE  BACTKIAN  CAMEL. 
This  animal  is  a  magnificent  representative  of  the  two-humped  species,  so  widely  distributed  in  Central  Asia. 

305  39 


306 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


distinguished  from  its  Arabian  relative  by  the 
fact  that  it  has  two  humps,  is  shorter  in  — • 
the  leg  and  heavier,  and  has  longer  hair 
and  stouter  and  harder  feet.  The  shorter 
legs  are  distinctly  advantageous,  enabling  the 
animal  to  get  about  with  ease  and  safety  over 
rocky  and  hilly  ground. 

The  hordes  of  wild  camels  found  in 
Turkestan,  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Kashgar, 
are  believed  by  Major  C.  S.  Cumberland  to 
be  descended  from  camels  which  escaped 
when  the  district  known  as  Takla  Makan  was 
buried  in  a  great  sand-storm  200  years  ago. 
From  the  fury  of  that  storm  it  is  said  no 
human  being  escaped  alive.  Some  camels 
apparently  did,  perhaps  owing  their  survival 
to  the  power  they  possess  of  closing  the 
nostrils,  and  thereby  keeping  out  the  sand. 

The  Bactrian  camel  lives  upon  the  salt 
and  bitter  plants  of  the  steppes,  which  are 
rejected  by  almost  all  other  animals.  It  is 
further  able  to  drink  brackish  water  from  the 
salt  lakes  by  which  it  is  surrounded.  When 
pressed  by  hunger,  it  will  even  eat  felt  blankets, 
bones  and  skins  of  other  animals,  and  fish ! 


t 


Photo  by  Scholastic  Photo.  Co.J  [Parson's  Green. 

YOUNG  BACTBIAN  CAMEL. 
The  two  humps  are  just  beginning  to  grow. 


Photo  by  Charles  Kniyht]  [AMtfthot, 

BACTRIAN  CAMEL. 
The  most  useful  transport  animal  of  Central  Asia. 

THE  LLAMAS. 

THE  LLAMAS  are  humpless  camels,  and 
confined  to  the  western  and  southernmost 
parts  of  South  America.  Two  wild  and  two 
domesticated  species  are  known.  The  name 
Llama,  it  should  be  mentioned,  properly  belongs 
to  the  domesticated  animal  of  that^name. 

THE  VicutfA. 

This  is  the  smaller  of  the  two  wild 
species.  Vicunas  live  in  herds  in  the 
mountain-ranges  of  Peru,  dwelling  during  the 
wet  season  high  up  amid  rocks  and  precipices, 
near  the  region  of  perpetual  snow.  In  the 
dry  season  they  descend  to  the  higher  valleys. 
Their  capture  is  a  matter  of  great  difficulty; 
for,  apart  from  the  inaccessible  nature  of  their 
haunts,  they  are  exceedingly  shy  and  vigilant. 
They  are  clothed  in  a  woolly  coat  of  extremely 
delicate  texture,  much  in  demand  for  weaving 
purposes. 

The  baby  vicuna,  it  is  interesting  to 
note,  is  able  to  run  swiftly  directly  after 
its  birth,  and  possesses  great  powers  of 


The    Camel    Tribe    and    the    Chevrotains 


307 


endurance.       This    is   the   more    noteworthy   since   the   young   of    the    camel    are    exceedingly 
helpless. 

Vicunas  are  hunted  by  the  Indians  and  captured  by  driving  them  into  an  enclosure  of 
perhaps  half  a  mile  in  diameter.  This  is  hung  round  with  bits  of  coloured  rag,  which, 
fluttering  in  the  wind,  appear  to  deter  the  captives  from  breaking  through. 

THE   GrUANACO. 

This  is  larger  than  the  vicuna,  and  is  described  as  an  elegant  animal,  being  possessed 
of  a  long,  slender,  gracefully  curved  neck  and  fine  legs.  It  ranges  from  the  highlands  of  the 
Andes  to  the  plains  of  Patagonia  and  the  islands  of  Tierra  del  Fuego.  As  Mr.  Darwin  points 
out,  the  behaviour  of  guanaco  when  alarmed  is  very  contradictory.  At  one  time  they  will 
sound  the  danger-signal,  and  put  themselves  out  of  harm's  way  long  before  the  enemy  has 
perceived  them ;  at  another  they  exhibit  the  most  extraordinary  curiosity,  and  pay  the  death- 
penalty  in  consequence.  "  That  they  are  curious  is  certain  ;  for  if  a  person  lies  on  the  ground 
and  plays  strange  antics,  such 
as  throwing  up  his  feet  in 
the  air,  they  will  almost 
always  approach  by  degrees 
to  reconnoitre  him.  It  was 
an  artifice  that  was  repeatedly 
practised  by  our  sportsmen 
with  success,  and  it  had, 
moreover,  the  advantage  of 
allowing  several  shots  to  be 
fired,  which  were  all  taken  as 
part  of  the  performance.  On 
the  mountains  of  Tierra  del 
Fuego,  I  have  more  than 
once  seen  a  guanaco,  on  being 
approached,  not  only  neigh 
and  squeal,  but  prance  and 
leap  about  in  the  most  ridi- 
culous manner,  apparently  in 
defiance,  as  a  challenge. 


ft.. 


Photo  by  J.  W.  McLdlan] 


[Highbury. 


GUANACO. 
The  wild  original  of  the  llama  and  alpaca. 


These  animals  are  very  easily 
domesticated,  and  I  have  seen 
some  thus  kept  in  Northern 
Patagonia  near  a  house,  though  not  under  any  restraint.  They  are  in  this  state  very  bold, 
and  readily  attack  a  man  by  striking  him  from  behind  with  both  knees.  The  wild  guanacos, 
however,  have  no  idea  of  defence ;  even  a  single  dog  will  secure  one  of  these  large  animals  till 
the  huntsmen  can  come  up.  In  many  of  their  habits  they  are  like  sheep  in  a  flock.  Thus, 
when  they  see  men  approaching  in  several  directions  on  horseback,  they  soon  become  bewildered, 
and  know  not  which  way  to  run.  This  greatly  facilitates  the  Indian  method  of  hunting,  for 
they  are  thus  easily  driven  to  a  central  point,  and  are  encompassed." 

Guanacos  readily  take  to  the  water,  and  have  been  frequently  seen  swimming  from  one 
island  to  another.  Here  again  the  llamas  differ  from  the  camels,  for  these  can  swim  but 
little,  if  at  all.  Like  the  Bactrian  camel,  the  guanaco  can  drink  salt  water  with  impunity. 

One  of  the  most  remarkable  traits  of  the  guanaco  is  that  which  induces  it,  when  it  feels 
its  end  to  be  near,  to  seek  out  the  dying-place  of  the  tribe,  and  there  breathe  out  its  last. 
"  The  guanacos,"  says  Mr.  Darwin,  "  appear  to  have  favourite  spots  for  lying  down  to  die.  On 
the  banks  of  the  St.  Cruz,  in  certain  circumscribed  places,  which  were  generally  bushy  and  all 
near  the  river,  the  ground  was  actually  white  with  bones.  On  one  such  spot  I  counted 


308 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


between   ten   and   twenty  heads.  .  .  .  The    animals    in    most    cases   must   have   crawled,    before 
dying,  beneath  and  amongst  the  bushes." 

THE  LLAMA. 

This  is  the  first  of  the  two  domesticated  offshoots  of  the  guanaco,  the  other  being  the 
Alpaca.  The  LLAMA  is  a  larger  beast  than  the  guanaco,  and  variable  in  colour.  The  ancient 
Peruvians  bred  it  as  a  beast  of  burden  or  for  riding,  and  before  the  Spanish  conquest  kept 
it  in  enormous  numbers.  Soon  after  the  Spanish  conquest  "  it  was  not  uncommon  to  meet 
droves  of  from  300  to  500,  or  even  1,000  llamas,  each  laden  with  silver  ingots,  and  the 
whole  in  charge  of  a  single  native.  ...  Only  the  male  llamas  were  used  as  beasts  of 
burden,  while  the  smaller  females  were  kept  for  their  milk  and  flesh.  In  travelling  along 
the  roads,  the  droves  marched  in  single  file,  under  the  guidance  of  a  leader;  and  such  a  line 
would  traverse  the  highest  passes  of  the  Cordillera,  and  skirt  the  most  stupendous  precipices 
with  perfect  safety.  .  .  .  The  Spanish  conquerors  of  Peru  spoke  of  llama-flesh  as  being  fully 
equal  to  the  best  mutton,  and  they  established  shops  in  the  towns  for  its  regular  sale.  At 
the  time  of  the  conquest  it  is  estimated  that  upwards  of  300,000  llamas  were  employed  in 
the  transport  of  the  product  of  the  mines  of  Potosi  alone." 

THE  ALPACA. 

This  animal  is  bred  solely  for  the  sake  of  its  wool,  which  is  of  great  length  and  fineness. 
From  it  is  made  the  well-known  fabric  which  bears,  in  consequence,  the  name  "  alpaca." 

The  alpaca  is  kept  in  herds  on  the  high  grounds  of  Bolivia  and  South  Peru,  whence 
it  is  annually  driven  down  to  be  sheared.  The  Incas  dyed  the  wool — wnich  is  of  two 
qualities,  a  fine  and  a  coarse — with  bright  colours,  and  made  it  up  into  cloth  or  blankets,  as 
the  occasion  served. 

The  earliest  account  of  this  animal  is  by  Augustin  de  Zarate,  the  Treasurer-General  of 
Peru  in  1544.  He  speaks  of  the  beast  as  a  sheep ;  but  since  he  describes  it  as  camel-like  in 
shape,  though  devoid  of  a  hump,  there  can  be  no  doubt  that  it  is  the  llama  he  is  describing. 


Photo  by  the  Duche»s  of  Bedford] 

LLAMAS. 
Largely  used  as  beasts  of  burden  in  Peru,  where  these  and  the  alpaca  were  formerly  the  only  domesticated  ruminants. 


[  Woburn  Abbey. 


The    Camel    Tribe    and    the    Chevrotains 


309 


He  says :  "  In  places  where  there  is  no  snow  the 
natives  want  water,  and  to  supply  this  they  fill  the 
skins  of  sheep  with  water,  and  make  other  living 
sheep  carry  them;  for,  it  must  be  remarked,  these 
sheep  of  Peru  are  large  enough  to  serve  as  beasts 
of  burden.  They  can  carry  about  100  Ibs.  or  more, 
and  the  Spaniards  used  to  ride  them,  and  they 
would  go  four  or  five  leagues  a  day.  When  they 
are  weary,  they  lie  down  on  the  ground;  and  as 
there  are  no  means  of  making  them  get  up,  either 
by  beating  or  assisting  them,  the  load  must  of 
necessity  be  taken  off.  When  there  is  a  man  on 
one  of  them,  if  the  beast  be  tired  and  urged  to 
go  on,  he  turns  his  head  round  and  discharges  his 
saliva,  which  has  an  unpleasant  odour,  into  the  rider's 
face.  These  animals  are  of  great  use  and  profit  to 
their  masters,  for  their  wool  is  very  good  and  fine 
.  .  .  and  the  expense  of  their  food  is  trifling,  as  a 
handful  of  maize  suffices  them,  and  they  can  go  four 
or  five  days  without  water.  Their  flesh  is  as  good 
as  that  of  the  fat  sheep  of  Castile.  There  are  now 
public  shambles  for  the  sale  of  their  flesh  in  all  parts 
of  Peru,  which  was  not  the  case  when  the  Spaniards 
came  first." 

The   particularly   offensive    habit   of   spitting    in 
the   face   of  people   who   may   be   obnoxious   to  it  is 
well  known  to  those  who  are  in  the  habit   of  seeing  much  of  this  animal. 


Photo  by  Miss  E.  J.  Beck. 

LLAMA. 

The  larger  of  the  two  domesticated  forms  descended  from 
the  guanaco. 


THE   CHEVEOTAINS. 

MENTION  must  be  made, 
before  passing  to  the  Pig 
Tribe,  of  the  smallest  of  hoofed 
mammals,  the  Eoyal  Antelope 
excepted — the  CHEVROTAINS. 
These  little  animals  are  horn- 
less, and  intermediate  in 
character  between  the  Deer, 
Camels,  and  Pigs.  The  males 
have  large  canine  teeth,  like 
those  of>the  Musk-deer,  with 
which  the  Chevrotains  have 
long  been  confounded.  The 
range  of  these  animals,  of 
which  there  are  five  species 
known,  extends  from  India 
and  Ceylon,  through  the 
Malayan  countries,  as  far  east 
as  the  island  of  Palawan,  in 
the  Philippine  group.  One 
species,  the  largest  of  the 
group,  occurs  on  the  west 
coast  of  Africa. 


Photo  by  G.  W.  Wilson  &  Co.,  Ltd.]  [Aberdeen. 

ALPACA. 
A  domesticated  form,  bred  solely  for  its  wool,  which  is  of  a  dark  brown  or  black  colour. 


CHAPTER     XIX. 

THE  PIG  AND  HIPPOPOTAMUS. 


THE     PIG     TRIBE. 

BY  H.    A.    BEYDEN. 

MANY  species  and  varieties  of  swine  are   found   in  different  parts   of  the   world,  most  of 
them    exhibiting    strong    traces    of    a    general    family    resemblance,    although    widely 
sundered  as   to  habitats  and  often  markedly  differing  in  outward  appearance.      All  are 
omnivorous ;   all  have  the  stomach  simpler  in  type  than  in  the  Ruminants ;  and  all  have  front 
or  incisor  teeth  in  the  upper  jaw.      The  two  great  families  of  swine  proper  are  the   Pigs   and 
Peccaries. 

There  has  been  much  discussion  among  scientists  as  to  the  early  origin  of  the  various 
breeds  of  domestic  swine  found  in  different  parts  of  the  world.  There  can  be  little  doubt 
that,  although  selective  breeding  has  produced  extraordinary  differences  in  outward  appearance, 
even  among  the  domestic  pigs  of  our  own  islands,  the  origin  of  the  numerous  tame  races  is 
to  be  sought  in  the  ancestry  of  the  wild  breeds  of  the  countries  in  which  they  are  found. 
Darwin  has  some  very  apposite  remarks  on  the  differences  to  be  observed  in  domesticated 
swine.  "  The  peculiar  form  of  the  skull  and  body  in  the  most  highly  cultivated  races  is," 
he  observes,  "not  characteristic  of  any  one  race,  but  is  common  to  all  when  improved  up  to 


Photo  ly  W.  Reid]  [Withaic,  N.B. 

A  DOMESTICATED   SOW  AND   HER   PROGENY. 

The  absence  of  stripes  and  spots  on  the  young  is  a  feature  in  which  they  differ  from  those  of  nearly  all  wild  swine. 

310 


The    Pig    and    Hippopotamus 


Photo  by  Ottomar  Amchiitz]  {Berlin. 

WILD  BOAK. 

In  its  long,  bristly  hair  and  powerful  lower  tusks,  the  wild  boar  is  a  very  different  animal  from  its  domesticated  descendants. 

the  same  standard.  Thus  the  large-bodied,  long-eared  English  breed,  with  a  convex  back,  and 
the  small-bodied,  short-eared  Chinese  breeds,  with  a  concave  back,  when  bred  to  the  same 
state  of  perfection,  nearly  resemble  each  other  in  the  form  of  the  head  and  body.  This 
result,  it  appears,  is  partly  due  to  similar  causes  of  change  acting  on  the  several  races,  and 
partly  to  man  breeding  the  pig  for  one  sole  purpose — namely,  for  the  greatest  amount  of 
flesh  and  fat;  so  that  selection  has  always  tended  towards  one  and  the  same  end.  With 
most  domestic  animals  the  result  of  selection  has  been  divergence  of  character;  here  it  has 
been  convergence." 

THE  TRUE  PIGS. 

True  pigs  are  found  only  in  the  Old  World,  and  even  there  in  very  widely  different  forms. 
Typical  of  these  quadrupeds  is  the  well-known  WILD  BOAR,  found  abundantly  in  many  parts 
of  Europe,  North  Africa,  Asia  Minor,  and  Central  Asia.  In  the  British  Islands  the  wild  boar 
must  once  have  been  extraordinarily  plentiful,  especially  in  Ireland,  where  its  tame  descendants 
still  so  greatly  flourish.  In  the  days  of  the  Plantagenets  wild  swine  fed  and  sheltered  in  the 
woodlands  close  to  London.  James  I.  hunted  them  near  Windsor  in  1617,  and  even  down  to 
the  year  1683  these  animals  still  had  their  haunts  in  the  more  secluded  parts  of  England. 
Although  now  extinct  in  these  Islands,  the  wild  boar  is  to  be  found  plentifully  at  the  present 
day  in  France,  Germany,  Austria,  Russia,  and  Spain,  Greece,  Albania,  and  other  countries  of  the 
Mediterranean.  In  most  parts  of  Europe  the  wild  boar  is  shot  during  forest  drives,  but  in 
the  Caucasus  and  round  the  Black  Sea  the  hardy  peasants  lie  in  wait  for  these  animals  by  the 
fruit-trees  on  autumn  nights  or  waylay  them  going  to  the  water  and  shoot  them  single-handed. 
Many  an  old  Cossack,  writes  Mr.  Clive  Phillipps-Wolley,  bears  the  scars  of  some  desperate 
encounter  with  these  formidable  foes.  In  Spain,  where  in  the  old  days  the  boar  was  pursued  by 
cavaliers  with  spear  and  pike,  it  is  still,  in  the  forests  of  Estremadura,  followed  with  horse  and 
hound,  usually,  says  Mr.  Abel  Chapman,  "  during  the  stillness  of  a  moonlight  night,  when  the 
acorns  are  falling  from  the  oaks  in  the  magnificent  Estremenian  woods." 


312 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


Photo  by  J.  Turner-Turner,  E»q. 

DIVING-PIGS. 

Half-wild  pigs,  found  in  Florida,  -where  they  live  on  refuse  fish.    (See  next  page.) 

In  India  the  wild  boar  of  Europe  and  North  Africa  is  replaced  by  a  closely  allied  species 
(distinguished  by  a  crest  of  long  black  bristles  upon  the  neck  and  back),  which  furnishes  some 
of  the  finest  and  most  exciting  sport  in  the  world  to  mounted  hunters  armed  with  a  sharp 
spear.  There  is  not  a  pluckier  or  more  fearless  beast  living  than  the  boar ;  and  as  he  carries 
long  and  extremely  sharp  tusks,  and  never  scruples  to  use  them,  he  is  an  exceedingly  dangerous 
opponent  when  wounded  and  enraged.  Severe  and  even  fatal  accidents  have  happened  in  the 
pursuit  of  this  determined  beast  of  chase.  When  at  bay,  the  boar  is  absolutely  reckless  of 
life;  and  although  pierced  and  mortally  wounded  by  the  spear,  will  yet  force  himself  up  the 
shaft,  and  with  his  dying  effort  inflict  gaping  wounds  on  the  horse  bearing  his  attacker. 
Indian  shikaris,  to  illustrate  the  courage  of  the  wild  boar,  say  that  he  has  the  hardihood  to 
drink  at  a  river  between  two  tigers;  and  Colonel  K.  Heber  Percy  mentions,  in  the  Badminton 
volumes  on  "Big  Game  Shooting,"  that  "several  cases  are  on  record  in  which  an  old  boar 
has  beaten  off  a  tiger,  and  some  in  which  the  latter  has  been  killed  by  a  boar.  The  boar's 
extraordinary  activity  and  sharp  tusks  make  him  no  mean  adversary,  and  his  short  neck  makes 
it  difficult  for  a  tiger  to  seize  it  and  give  it  that  fatal  wrench  with  which  he  likes  to  polish 
off  his  victims."  A  wild  boar  will  stand  as  much  as  3  feet  at  the  shoulder — some  sportsmen 
affirm  considerably  more— and  weigh  more  than  300  Ibs.  The  finest  boar's  tusk  known  is 
one  mentioned  in  Eowland  Ward's  "Kecords  of  Big  Game."  This  measures  11|  inches  over 
the  curve.  It  came  from  the  Caucasus,  and  is  in  the  possession  of  Colonel  Veernhof. 

It  is  worthy  of  note  that,  while  the  full-grown  individuals  of  the  various  species  of  wild 
swine  are  uniformly  coloured,  their  young  are  longitudinally  striped  and  spotted.  In  India, 
besides  the  common  boar,  a  tiny  wild  swine,  known  as  the  PYGMY  HOG,  is  found  in  the 
Bhutan  Terai  and  the  forests  of  Nepal  and  Sikhitn.  This  pig,  which  is  little  bigger  than  a 
fox-terrier,  runs  in  considerable  troops,  or  sounders,  and  is  said  to  attack  intruders  into  it> 
domain  much  in  the  same  fearless  way  in  which  the  peccary  of  America  defends  its  sanctuaries. 
The  height  of  this  diminutive  species  is  given  as  from  8  to  10  inches — the  weight  at  10  Ibs. 


The    Pig    and    Hippopotamus 


313 


Photo  by  Scholastic  Photo.  Co.,  Panon's  drr 
JAVAN  WILD  PIG. 

One  of  several  nearly  allied  species  inhabiting  the  Malay 
Islands. 


Wild    swine    are    nocturnal  in   their   habits,    frequenting 

moist   and   marshy  country,   loving  the   shade  of  forests, 

and  making  their  lairs  in  tall  grass,  reed-beds,  and  similar 

covert.     They  go  far  afield  for  their  food-supplies,  and  do 

a   great   deal    of  damage   to  crops  in  cultivated  districts. 

The  European  wild  sow  produces  from  six  to  ten  young, 

and    at    least    two   litters    are   usually    brought    forth    in 

the  year. 

It  is  remarkable  how  quickly  pigs,  as  well  as   other 

domesticated    animals,    revert    to    a    semi-feral    state    of 

existence,  and  develop   habits   suited  to  a  fresh    environ- 
ment.     Mr.    J.    Turner-Turner     sends    us    the    following 

interesting  note  in  connection  with  this  trait:    "DrviNG- 

PIGS. — These    pigs    live    in  an    almost  wild    condition  on 

certain  of  the  islands  off  Florida,  and  subsist  chiefly  upon 

the    refuse  fish    cast  away  by  the    netsmen.      To  obtain 

this,  the   pigs  dive  under  water,  walking  on  the  land  at 

a  depth  of  5  feet  below  the  surface." 

Among  other  Asiatic  wild    swine  are  to  be  mentioned 

the  COLLARED  PIG,  found  in  Java,  Sumatra,  and  Borneo ; 

the   WHITE-WHISKERED   JAPANESE   PIG;   the  PAPUAN   and 

FORMOSAN   PIGS  ;   the  WARTY    PIG    of  Java  and  Borneo ;    the   CERAM   PIG  ;    the    CELEBES   PIG  ; 

and  the    BEARDED  PIG   of  Borneo,  a   species   distinguished  by  a   quantity  of  long   hair   carried 

upon  the  cheeks.     In  the  Andaman  Islands  a  small,  shaggy  wild  pig,  standing  about  20  inches 

at    the    shoulder,  is  found    in   the   forests.      Although   distinguished  from    the  well-known   wild 

boar  of   India  by  certain  peculiarities,  there  is   a  strong  family  resemblance  to  that  well-known 

species  in  most  of  these  various  Asiatic  species  and  races. 

Among   the  many  kinds  of  domesticated  swine  found   in  Asia,  perhaps   the    strangest   and 

most   curio  as   is   the   JAPANESE  MASKED   PIG.     This   animal   is  described   by  Darwin   as   having 

"an  extraordinary  appearance,  from    its   short   head,  broad  forehead  and   nose,  great  fleshy  ears, 

and  deeply  furrowed    skin.      Not  only  is  the  face  furrowed,  but  thick  folds  of  skin,  which  are 

harder  than  the  other  parts,  almost 
like  the  plates  on  the  Indian 
rhinoceros,  hang  about  the 
shoulders  and  rump.  It  is 
coloured  black,  with  white  feet, 
and  breeds  true.  That  it  has 
long  been  domesticated  there  can 
be  little  doubt;  and  this  might 
have  been  inferred  even  from  the 
circumstance  that  its  young  are 
not  longitudinally  striped." 

In  Africa,  besides  the  Euro- 
pean wild  boar,  which  there 
extends  its  range  to  Algeria  and 
Morocco,  a  little-known  wild  pig 
is  the  SENAAR  BOAR,  found  in 
Senaar,  Kordofan,  and  the  Soudan 
region.  In  the  late  Dr.  Gray's 
"  Catalogue  of  Carnivora "  this 
wild  pig  is  described  as  having 
the  fur  dense  and  bristly,  and 
40 


Photo  by  Scholastic  Photo.  Co.] 

MALE  AND   FEMALE   BABIRUSA. 


[Parson's  Green. 


The  chief  characteristic  of  this  pig  is  the  peculiar  and  enormous  development  of  the  tusks  in 
the  male,  the  upper  pair  of  which  grow  through  the  lips  and  curve  backwards. 


314 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


Photo  by  Miss  E.  J.  Beck. 

WART-HOG. 

Shows  the  great  size  of  the  head  in  proportion  to 
the  body. 


being  in  colour  dull  olive-black,  varied  with  yellow.    Possibly 

this  little-known  swine  may  prove  to  be  merely  a  sub-species 

of  the  common  wild  boar  of  Europe  and  North  Africa.     Now 

that   the   Soudan  regions  have   once   more   been    opened    up 

to  Europeans,  we  may  expect    shortly  to  hear   more   of  this 

wild  swine,  as  well  as  of  other  rare  and  interesting   animals. 
Still  dealing   with   the  true   pigs,  we    come  now  to   the 

BUSH-PIGS  of  Africa  and  Madagascar.     These  differ  somewhat 

from   the    typical   wild   boars    of  Europe    and   India  in  the 

structure    of    the    teeth,    the    long   pencilled   ear-tufts,   the 

elongated    snout,    and    other    characteristics.     The  tusks   are 

considerably  smaller,    and   seldom   exceed    6    or   7  inches  in 

length.     The  BED  EIVEE-HOG,  or  WEST  AFRICAN  BUSH-PIG,  is 

decidedly  the   most    striking   of  this   group.     Smaller  than 

the  bush-pig  of  South  Africa,  and-  seldom   exceeding  2  feet 

in   height   at   the    shoulder,    the    colour   of    this    animal    is 

a  brilliant  reddish  brown,  with  tints  of  yellow.      Noticeable 

streaks  of  white  are  found  round  the  eyes  and  on  the  cheeks. 

The  ear-tufts,  forehead,  and  limbs  are  blackish;   more  white 

markings   are    seen    at   the   tips  of  the   ear-tufts,  along  the 

thick  mane,  and  round  the  margins  of  the   ears.     The  under-parts   are  whitish   grey  in  colour. 

This  very  handsome  pig  runs  in  considerable  herds,  and  is  found  chiefly  in  forest  and  jungle 

near   the    banks    of    the   various  rivers   in   West  Africa.      Its   range    extends   from   Angola   to 

Senegambia,  and  eastwards  into  the  continent  as  far  as  Monbuttu. 

The  well-known  BUSH-PIG  OF  SOUTH  AFRICA,  the  BOSCH-VARK  of  the  Boers,  is  a  fine  species, 

having   a  wide   range   over   much    of  the  southern   and    south-eastern   parts   of   the    continent, 

extending  as  far  north  as  Central  Africa.     In  the  Eastern  Transvaal  and  Swaziland  these  animals 

attain   their  greatest   size,  an  adult   boar  standing  from  2   feet  4  inches   to  2  feet  7  inches  in 

height,  and  weighing  as  much  as  from  150  to  170   Ibs.     The  usual  colour  is  brownish  red,  the 

face  and  mane   greyish ;    but  in   different  specimens  and  at   different  ages   great    variations  are 

to   be  noticed.     Pale   greyish   brown   or   mottled   brown  are  colours   often  to   be   found.     These 

bush-pigs  are  formidable-looking 
creatures,  with  thick  bristling 
manes,  small  deep-set  eyes,  and 
sharp  if  somewhat  short  tusks, 
which  they  know  well  how  to 
use.  Among  the  old-fashioned 
Boers  cured  hams  from  these 
animals  were,  when  they  were 
more  plentiful  in  Cape  Colony, 
often  to  be  found  in  up-country 
farmhouses.  The  bosch-vark  is 
a  beast  of  shy,  nocturnal  habit, 
and,  loving  as  it  does  the  shade 
and  protection  of  dense  covert 
and  bush,  is,  unless  carefully 
sought  for,  not  often  seen  by 
sportsmen.  The  herds  range 
usually  from  half  a  dozen  to 
as  many  as  twenty  in  number. 
When  once  encountered  and 
set  up  at  bay,  this  wild  swine 


Photo  by  Scholastic  Photo.  Co.] 


i's  Green. 


S  WART-HOG. 


Displays  the  broad  muzzle  and  huge  tusks,  which  are  nearly  as  large  in  the  sows  as  in 

the  boars. 


The    Pig    and    Hippopotamus 


315 


will  be  found  a  most  tough  and  courageous  adversary,  capable  and  willing  to  defend  itself 
stoutly  against  all  foes.  "  They  are,"  says  Mr.  F.  Vaughan  Kirby,  who  has  had  much 
experience  in  hunting  these  animals,  "expert  swimmers  and  swift  of  foot,  and  can  get  over 
the  roughest  ground  at  a  great  pace.  There  is  no  pluckier  beast  in  Africa  than  a  bush-pig, 
and  even  a  leopard  will  hesitate  before  attacking  a  full-grown  boar.  Like  all  wild  creatures, 
they  have  an  instinctive  dread  of  man,  and  will  always  make  their  escape  from  him  if  possible ; 
but  if  surrounded  or  wounded  and  brought  to  bay,  they  appear  to  accept  the  situation  with 
stolid  imperturbability,  and  die  fighting  with  rare  pluck,  against  all  odds,  grim  and  silent  to 
the  last.  .  .  .  Face  to  face  in  the  middle  of  a  'fast'  bush,  and  only  a  Swazi  '  stabbing-assegai ' 
with  which  to  kill  him,  ...  I  have  seen  an  old  boar,  after  receiving  nine  thrusts  from  those 
terrible  weapons,  two  of  which  were  still  fast  in  him,  make  a  charge  that  scattered  us 
like  chaff,  and  in  three  consecutive  lunges  lame  one  of  our  number  for  life,  and  disembowel 
two  of  the  finest  '  pig-dogs '  I  ever  hunted  with.  In  such  encounters  a  boar  inflicts  terrible 
wounds  with  his  teeth,  as  well  as  with  his  tusks."  Few  men  care  to  face  a  wart-hog  on  foot. 

Another  bush-pig  is 
found  in  Madagascar,  and  is 
known  as  EDWARDS'  BUSH-PIG. 
Its  habits  are  very  similar 
to  those  of  its  brethren  in 
the  neighbouring  continent  of 
Africa. 

THE  BABIRUSA. 

Quitting  the  true  pigs, 
we  come  now  to  perhaps  the 
very  strangest  and  most 
singular  of  all  the  great 
tribe  of  swine.  This  is  the 
BABIRUSA,  that  curious  and 
grotesque  creature  found  in 
the  island  of  Celebes,  in  the 
Malay  Archipelago.  The 

name  Babirusa  signifies  «  pig-          Photo  ly  Scllolaitic  P/loto  Co>] 
deer.          It     is     01    course    a  HEAD  OF  MALE  WART-HOG. 

misnomer,       and      tne       animal         profiie  showing  the   large  conical  warty  growths  on  the  side  of  the  face  so  characteristic  of 

has  no  kinship  whatever  with  these  animals, 

the  cervine  race.     The   babi- 

rusa  is  a  wild  swine,  having  a  dark  slate-grey  skin,  very  sparsely  covered  with  hair  along 
the  ridge  of  the  spine.  This  skin  is  very  extraordinarily  wrinkled.  The  ears  are  much 
smaller  than  is  the  case  with  other  members  of  the  swine  group,  while  the  tail  is  short, 
straight,  and  lacks  any  semblance  of  tuft.  The  females  have  small  tusks.  In  the  boars  the 
tusks  are  most  singularly  and  abnormally  developed.  From  the  upper  jaw,  instead  of  curving 
from  the  side  of  the  lips,  the  tusks  grow  from  the  centre  of  the  muzzle,  penetrate  right 
through  the  skin,  and  curve  backwards  often  till  they  touch  the  forehead.  The  lower  tusks 
have  also  a  strong  curve,  but  are  not  so  long  as  those  of  the  upper  jaw.  Although  thus 
superabundantly  provided  with  tushes,  the  babirusa  is,  as  regards  the  rest  of  its  teeth,  less 
well  off,  having  only  thirty-four,  as  against  the  forty-four  of  the  European  wild  boar.  In  their 
habits  these  singular  pigs  much  resemble  other  wild  swine,  going  in  herds  and  frequenting 
forest,  jungle,  and  the  banks  of  rivers.  They  are  excellent  swimmers.  The  young  are,  unlike 
other  wild  swine  in  the  infant  state,  unstriped.  These  animals  are  often  found  domesticated 
about  the  dwellings  of  native  chiefs  in  Celebes.  The  weight  of  a  good  male  is  as  much  as 
128  Ibs. ;  height  at  shoulder,  27£  inches.  The  longest  tusk  recorded  measures  17  inches 


[Parson's  Green. 


316 


The    Living    Animals    of   the    World 


Photo  ly  If.  P.  Dando] 


[Regent's  Park. 


COLLARED  PECCARY. 


Peccaries  are  the  New  World  representatives  of  the  Swine,  and  are  characterised  by  a  large  gland  on 

the  back. 


over  the  curve.  These 
animals  are  driven  into 
nets  and  speared  by  the 
natives  of  Celebes,  and 
afford  excellent  sport,  the 
boars  especially  charging 
viciously  at  their  assailants. 

THE  WART-HOGS. 

If  the  babirusa  of  the 
Malay  Archipelago  is  a 
sufficiently  bizarre-looking 
creature,  the  wart-hog  of 
Africa  yields  to  none  of 
the  wild  pigs  in  sheer, 
downright  hideousness  of 
aspect.  The  WART-HOG 
OF  SOUTH  AFRICA,  the 
VLAKTE-VARK  (Pig  of  the 
Plains)  of  the  Boers,  has 
long  been  familiar  to 
hunters  and  naturalists. 
Standing  some  30  inches 
in  height,  this  wild  swine 
is  distinguished  by  the 
disproportionate  size  of 
the  head,  extreme  length, 

breadth,  and  flatness  of  the  front  of  the  face  and  muzzle,  smallish  ears,  huge  tusks,  and  the 
strange  wart-like  protuberances  from  which  it  takes  its  name.  Three  of  these  wen-like 
growths  are  found  on  each  side  of  the  face.  The  tusks  of  the  upper  jaw,  unlike  the  teeth 
of  the  true  pigs,  are  much  larger  than  those  protruding  from  the  lower  jaw.  The  lower 
tusks  seldom  exceed  6  inches  in  length ;  those  of  the  upper  jaw  occasionally  reach  as  much 
as  20  inches  over  the  curve.  A  pair  from  North-east  Africa  (Annesley  Bay,  on  the  Abyssinian 
littoral)  measure  respectively  27  and  26  inches — truly  gigantic  trophies.  The  skin  of  this 
wild  hog  is  nearly  naked,  except  upon  the  neck  and  back,  where  a  long,  coarse  main  of  dark 
bristly  hair  is  to  be  observed.  Wart-hogs,  as  their  Dutch  name  implies,  in  the  days  when 
game  was  plentiful,  were  often  found  in  open  country,  on  the  broad  grass-plains  and  karroos. 
At  the  present  day  they  are  less  often  seen  in  the  open.  They  run  in  small  family  parties, 
usually  two  or  three  sows  and  their  litters.  The  old  boars,  throughout  a  great  part  of  the  year, 
prefer  a  more  solitary  existence.  These  animals,  when  pursued,  usually  betake  themselves  to  an 
open  earth,  not  of  their  own  making,  and,  slewing  round  sharply  just  as  they  enter,  make 
their  way  in  hind  end  first.  They  afford  no  great  sport  to  the  hunter,  and  are  usually 
secured  with  a  rifle-bullet.  The  flesh  is  fairly  good  eating,  especially  that  of  a  young  and 
tender  specimen.  Speaking  generally,  wart-hogs  are  nothing  like  such  fierce  and  determined 
opponents  as  the  wild  boars  of  Europe  and  India,  or  even  the  bush-pig.  They  will,  however, 
charge  occasionally,  and  have  been  known  to  attack  and  rip  up  a  horse.  A  northern  species 
• — ^ELIAN'S  WART-HOG — is  found  in  Abyssinia,  Somaliland,  and  other  parts  of  East  Africa, 
where — especially  in  Abyssinia — it  roams  the  mountains  and  their  vicinity,  occasionally  to 
a  height  of  9,000  or  10,000  feet.  There  is  little  difference  between  this  and  the  southern 
form.  Wart-hogs  produce  usually  three  or  four  young,  and  the  sow  makes  her  litter  in 
a  disused  burrow.  Unlike  those  of  the  majority  of  wild  swine,  the  young  of  the  wart-hog  are 
uniformly  coloured,  having  no  white  stripes  or  spots. 


The    Pig    and    Hippopotamus 


317 


THE  PECCARIES. 

Peculiar  to  the  American  Continent,  the  PECCARIES  differ  considerably  from  the  wild  swine 
of  the  Old  World.  They  are  of  small  size ;  the  dentition  is  not  the  same,  the  stomach  is 
more  complicated  in  structure,  and  the  hind  feet  have  three  instead  of  four  toes.  In  general 
appearance  peccaries  are  not  unlike  small  dark-coloured  pig,  well  covered  with  bristles,  and 
having,  as  well  as  a  prominent  mane,  a  deep  fringe  of  hair  beneath  the  throat.  They  are 
essentially  forest-loving  animals,  roaming  over  large  tracts  of  country  and  making  considerable 
migrations  in  search  of  food.  Two  species  have  been  distinctly  identified  by  naturalists — the 
COLLARED  PECCARY,  and  the  WHITE-LIPPED  PECCARY.  Of  these,  the  former  species  is  found  from 
Texas,  in  North  America,  as  far  south  as  the  Kio  Negro,  in  Patagonia.  The  habitat  of  the 
white-lipped  peccary  is  more  circumscribed,  and  the  animal  is  seldom  found  except  in  that 
part  of  South  and  Central  America  lying  between  British  Honduras  and  Paraguay.  No 
members  of  the  Pig  Family  are  fiercer  or  more  tenacious  of  their  sanctuaries  than  the  white- 
lipped  peccary,  which  roams  the  dense  forests  of  Brazil  and  Paraguay  in  large  herds.  A 
human  being,  attacked  and  surrounded  by  a  herd  of  these  savage  little  creatures,  would  indeed 
stand  but  a  poor  chance  of  his  life,  and  many  a  hunter  and  traveller  has  been  compelled  to 
seek  refuge  in  a  tree  and  sustain  some  hours  of  siege.  Of  the  two  species,  the  white-lipped 
peccary  is  somewhat  the  larger,  standing  from  15  to  17£  inches  in  height.  The  collared 
peccary  averages  from  13|  to  15^  inches.  The  flesh  of  these  wild  swine  is  not  in  much 
repute,  and  unless  the  back-gland  is  at  once  cut  out  a  freshly  killed  specimen  will  become 
quickly  spoiled  as  a  human  food-supply.  Young  peccaries  appear  to  be  easily  tamed,  fierce 
as  is  their  nature  in  the  wild  state.  In  contrast  with  the  abundant  litters  of  other  pigs,  wild 
and  domesticated,  only  one  offspring  is  ordinarily  produced  at  birth.  In  fighting,  the  peccary 
does  not  rip  like  the  wild  boar,  but  inflicts  savage  and  severe  bites. 

"Untrained  dogs,"  says  President  Roosevelt,  "even  those  of  a  large  size,  will  speedily 
be  killed  by  a  single  peccary,  and  if  they  venture  to  attack  a  herd  will  be  literally  torn 
into  shreds.  A  big  trained  dog,  however,  can,  single-handed,  kill  a  peccary,  and  I  have 
known  the  feat  performed  several  times." 

Azara,  the  eminent  Spanish  naturalist  of  the  end  of  the  eighteenth  century,  had 
considerable  experience  of  the  peccaries  of  Central  and  Southern  America,  where  the  Indians 
are  much  addicted  to  taming  wild  animals,  and  keep  both  the  peccary  and  the  tapir  in 
a  state  of  semi-domestication.  The  peccary 
he  found  to  be  domesticated  more  easily 
than  might  be  expected.  Though  so  fierce 
in  its  wild  state,  it  soon  becomes  trouble- 
some from  its  familiarity. 

Mr.  Schomburgk,  the  explorer  of  Central 
America,  whose  travels  were  so  constantly 
quoted  during  the  Venezuelan  arbitration, 
saw  much  of  the  white-lipped  species  in 
the  forests.  He  found  the  animals  in  large 
troops  under  the  leadership  of  an  old  boar. 
When  attacked,  they  were  ready  to  surround 
man,  dog,  or  jaguar;  and  if  there  were  no 
means  of  escape,  the  enemy  was  certain  to 
be  cut  to  pieces.  He  himself  had  a  narrow 
escape  from  an  infuriated  herd,  the  leader 
of  which  he  shot  in  the  act  of  rushing  at 
him.  As  the  herd  approached  the  sound 
was  like  that  of  a  whirlwind  through  the 
bushes. 


ass 

Photo  by  Scholastic  Photo.  Co.]  [Parson's  Green. 

A  YOUXG  COLLARED  PECCARY. 

In  this  specimen  the  white  collar  from  which  the  species  takes  its  name  is 
very  clearly  displayed. 


318 


The    Living    Animals    of   the    World 


By  penniision  offferr  Carl  Hagenbeck,  Hamburg. 

A   THREE- YEAR-OLD   HIPPOPOTAMUS. 

In  this  specimen  the  great  lower  tusks  are  not  yet  developed. 


THE   HIPPOPOTAMUS. 

BY   F.   C.   SELOUS. 

Two  species  of  the  Hippopotamus  Family  exist 
on  the  earth  to-day,  both  of  which  are  inhabitants 
of  Africa,  and  are  not  found  in  any  other  country ; 
but  the  remains  of  many  extinct  forms  of  this  genus 
which  have  been  discovered  in  various  parts  of  Europe 
and  Asia  show  that  in  Pleistocene  and  Pliocene  times 
these  strange  and  uncouth  animals  must  have  been 
widely  distributed  throughout  the  greater  part  of  the 
Old  World.  The  fossil  remains  of  the  large  form  of 
hippopotamus  which  once  frequented  the  lakes  and 
rivers  of  England  and  Western  Europe  cannot  be 
distinguished  from  the  bones  of  the  common  African 
species  of  to-day,  which  latter  is  possibly  the  only 
animal  in  the  world  which  has  undergone  no  change 
in  form  or  structure  since  the  prehistoric  savages 
of  the  Thames  Valley  threw  stone-headed  spears  at 
their  enemies. 

The  COMMON  HIPPOPOTAMUS,  though  it  has  long 
been  banished  from  the  Lower  Nile,  and  has  more 
recently  been  practically  exterminated  in  the  British 
colonies  south  of  the  Limpopo,  was  once  an  inhabitant 
of  every  lake  and  river  throughout  the  entire  African 
Continent  from  the  delta  of  the  Nile  to  the  neigh- 
bourhood of  Cape  Town.  Now  it  is  not  found  below 

Khartum,  on  the  Nile ;  but  in  Southern  Africa  a  few  hippopotamuses  are  said  still  to  exist  in 
the  lower  reaches  of  the  Orange  River.  When  Van  Riebeck  first  landed  at  the  Cape,  in  1652, 
he  found  some  of  these  animals  in  the  swamp  now  occupied  by  Church  Square,  in  the  centre 
of  Cape  Town,  and  the  last  in  the  district  was  only  killed  in  the  Berg  River,  about  seventy 
miles  north  of  that  city,  as  recently  as  1874.  This  animal,  which  had  been  protected  for  some 
years,  was  at  last  shot,  as  it  had  become  very  savage,  and  was  in  the  habit  of  attacking  any 
one  who  approached  it.  In  my  own  experience  I  have  met  with  the  hippopotamus  in  all  the 
large  rivers  of  Africa  where  I  have  travelled,  such  as  the  Zambesi,  Kafukwe,  Chobi,  Sabi, 
Limpopo,  and  Usutu,  and  also  in  most  of  the  many  large  streams  which  take  their  rise  on 
the  plateau  of  Matabililand  and  Mashonaland,  and  flow  north,  south,  and  east  into  the  Zambesi, 
the  Limpopo,  or  the  Sabi.  I  have  also  seen  them  in  the  sea,  at  the  mouth  of  the  Quillimani 
River,  and  have  heard  from  natives  that  they  will  travel  by  sea  from  the  mouth  of  one  river 
to  another. 

Hippopotamuses  live  either  in  families  of  a  few  individuals  or  in  herds  that  may  number 
from  twenty  to  thirty  members.  Old  bulls  are  often  met  with  alone,  and  cows  when  about 
to  calve  will  sometimes  leave  their  companions  and  live  for  a  time  in  seclusion,  returning, 
however,  to  the  herd  soon  after  the  birth  of  their  calves.  Although,  owing  to  the  shortness 
of  its  legs,  a  hippopotamus  bull  does  not  stand  very  high  at  the  shoulder — about  4  feet 
8  inches  being  the  average  height — yet  its  body  is  of  enormous  bulk.  A  male  which  died 
some  years  ago  in  the  Zoological  Gardens  of  London  measured  12  feet  in  length  from  the  nose 
to  the  root  of  the  tail,'  and  weighed  4  tons ;  and  these  dimensions  are  probably  often  exceeded 
in  a  wild  state. 

The  huge  mouth  of  the  hippopotamus  (see  Coloured  Plate),  which  the  animal  is  fond  of 
opening  to  its  widest  extent,  is  furnished  with  very  large  canine  and  incisor  teeth,  which 
are  kept  sharp  by  constantly  grinding  one  against  another,  and  thus  enable  their  possessor 


Photo  by  J.  IF.  McLellan] 


[Highbury. 


HIPPOPOTAMUS  DRINKIXG. 
The  enormous  breadth  of  the  muzzle,  as  well  as  the  small  nostrils,  which  can  be  closed  at  will,  are  clearly  displayed  in  this  posture. 

319 


320 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


to  rapidly  cut  down  great  quantities  of  the  coarse  grass  and  reeds  upon  which  these  animals 
exclusively  feed  when  living  in  uninhabited  countries.  When,  however,  their  haunts  are  in 
the  neighbourhood  of  native  villages,  they  often  commit  great  havoc  in  the  corn-fields  of  the 
inhabitants,  trampling  down  as  much  as  they  eat;  and  it  was  their  fondness  for  sugar-cane 
which  brought  about  the  destruction  of  the  last  herd  of  hippopotamuses  surviving  in  Natal. 

The  lower  canine  teeth  or  tusks  of  the  hippopotamus  grow  to  a  great  size,  and  in  bulls 
may  weigh  from  4  Ibs.  to  7  Ibs.  each.  They  are  curved  in  shape,  and  when  extracted  from 
the  jaw  form  a  complete  half-circle,  and  have  been  known  to  measure  upwards  of  30  inches 
over  the  curve.  In  life,  however,  not  more  than  a  third  of  their  length  protrudes  beyond 
the  gums. 

During  the  daytime  hippopotamuses  are  seldom  met  with  out  of  the  water.  They  lie  and 
doze  all  day  long  in  the  deep  pools  of  the  rivers  they  frequent,  with  only  their  eyes,  ears, 
and  nostrils  above  the  surface,  or  else  bask  in  the  sun  on  the  tail  of  a  sandbank,  looking  like 
so  many  gigantic  pigs  with  their  bodies  only  partially  submerged.  Sometimes  they  will  lie 
and  sleep  entirely  out  of  water  amongst  reeds.  I  have  seen  them  feeding  in  the  reed-beds 
of  the  great  swamps  of  the  Chobi  just  at  sundown,  but  as  a  rule  they  do  not  leave  the  water 

until  after  dark.  At  night 
they  often  wander  far  afield, 
especially  in  the  rainy  season, 
in  search  of  suitable  food ; 
and  after  having  been  fired 
at  and  frightened,  I  have 
known  a  herd  of  hippopota- 
muses to  travel  at  least  five- 
and-twenty  miles  along  the 
course  of  a  river  during  the 
ensuing  night,  in  order  to 
reach  a  larger  and  deeper  pool 
than  the  one  in  which  they 
had  been  molested. 

Although  the  hippopota- 
mus is  thoroughly  at  home 
in  the  hottest  parts  of  Africa, 
and  appears  to  thrive  in  the 
tepid  waters  of  all  the  rivers 

which  flow  through  the  malarious  coast  regions  of  the  tropical  portions  of  that  continent, 
it  is  also  found  at  a  considerable  altitude  above  the  sea,  and  in  quite  small  streams  where 
the  temperature  of  the  water  during  the  winter  months  cannot  be  many  degrees  above 
freezing-point.  I  have  personally  met  with  hippopotamuses  in  the  Manyami  River,  not  far  from 
the  present  town  of  Salisbury,  in  Mashonaland.  The  country  there  has  an  altitude  of  about 
5,000  feet  above  sea-level ;  and  the  water  was  so  cold  on  the  last  occasion  on  which  I  came 
across  the  animals  in  question — July,  1887 — that,  if  a  basinful  was  left  out  during  the  night, 
ice  quite  an  eighth  of  an  inch  in  thickness  would  be  formed  over  it  before  morning.  There 
was,  however,  never  any  ice  on  the  river  itself.  During  the  rainy  season,  when  the  grass 
and  reeds  are  green  and  succulent,  hippopotamuses  become  enormously  fat,  especially  in  the 
higher  and  colder  portions  of  their  range,  and  retain  a  good  deal  of  their  fat  right  through 
the  driest  season  of  the  year.  Old  bulls  are  usually  very  lean ;  but  I  have  seen  cows  the 
greater  part  of  whose  carcases,  after  the  skin  had  been  stripped  off,  was  covered  with  a  layer 
of  fat  from  1  inch  to  2  inches  in  thickness.  The  meat  of  these  animals  is  dark  red  in 
colour,  and  more  like  beef  than  pork.  To  my  mind,  that  of  a  young  animal  is  most 
excellent  in  flavour,  and  far  preferable  to  that  of  a  lean  antelope.  The  fat,  when  prepared,  is 
as  good  as  the  best  lard,  from  which,  indeed,  it  is  hardly  distinguishable.  The  skin  of  the 


Photo  by  Lord  Delamere] 


[NortJiwich. 


HIPPOPOTAMUSES   BATHING. 


A.  hippopotamus  stays  under  water  for  about  2J  minutes  at  a  time,  and  then  just  shows  part  of  its 
head  above  water  while  it  draws  a  fresh  breath. 


Photo  by  J.  W.  McLellan,  Highbury 


A     HIPPOPOTAMUS     GAPING 


The  position  of  the  animal  displays  the  enormous  capacity,  and  likewise  the  powerful  lower  tusks ;  the 
shortness  of  the  limbs  is  also  well  exhibited. 


The    Pig    and    Hippopotamus 


321 


By  permission  of  Herr  Carl  Hagenbeck] 


[Hamburg. 


BABY   HIPPOPOTAMUS,    AGED   SIX  MONTHS. 


The  flesh  of  a,  young  hippopotamus  is  said  to  have  an  excellent  flavour.     Natives  often  follow  shooting  expeditions  in  order  to  secure  some 

of  its  meat. 


hippopotamus  is  smooth  and  hairless,    and  in   adult   animals   quite  1£  inch  in  thickness  on  the 
upper  parts  of  the  body. 

Hippopotamuses  are  said  to  be  capable  of  remaining  under  water  for.  ten  or  twelve 
minutes.  Should,  however,  a  herd  of  these  animals  be  watched  but  not  fired  at  from  the 
bank  of  a  river  in  which  they  are  passing  the  day,  they  will  all  sink  below  the  surface  of 
the  water  as  soon  as  they  become  aware  of  and  more  or  less  alarmed  by  the  presence  of 
the  intruder,  but  each  member  of  the  herd  will  come  up  to  breathe  at  intervals  of  from  one 
to  two  minutes.  I  have  seen  hippopotamuses  so  tame  and  unsuspicious  of  danger  that  they 
allowed  me — the  first  human  being  probably  with  any  kind  of  hat  or  clothes  on  him  that 
they  had  ever  seen — to  take  up  a  position  within  fifty  yards  of  them  on  the  edge  of  the  deep 
rock-bound  pool  in  which  they  were  resting  without  showing  any  signs  of  alarm.  They  simply 
stared  at  me  in  an  inquisitive  sort  of  way,  raising  their  heads  higher  out  of  the  water,  and 
constantly  twitching  their  little  rounded  ears ;  and  it  was  not  until  a  number  of  natives  came 
up  and  began  to  talk  loudly  that  they  took  alarm,  and,  sinking  out  of  sight,  retreated  to  the 
farther  end  of  the  pool.  I  once  took  the  length  of  time  with  my  watch  for  more  than  an  hour 
that  a  hippopotamus  which  I  was  trying  to  shoot  remained  under  water.  This  animal,  a  cow 
with  a  new-born  calf,  had  made  an  attack  upon  one  of  my  canoes.  It  first  came  up  under  the 
canoe,  tilting  one  end  of  it  into  the  air  and  almost  filling  it  with  water.  Then  it  made  a 
rush  at  the  half-swamped  craft,  and,  laying  its  huge  head  over  it,  pressed  it  down  under  the 
water  and  sank  it.  There  were  four  natives  in  the  canoe  at  the  time  of  the  attack,  all  of 
whom  swam  safely  to  an  island  in  the  river — the  Zambesi.  After  the  accident — which  caused 
me  a  good  deal  of  loss  and  inconvenience — I  tried  to  shoot  this  unprovoked  aggressor,  but 
unsuccessfully,  as  the  river  was  too  broad  to  allow  me  to  get  anything  but  a  long  shot  at  her. 
The  shortest  time  she  remained  under  water  during  the  seventy  minutes  I  was  paying  attention 

41 


322 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


to  her  was  forty  seconds,  and  the  longest  four  minutes  and  twenty  seconds — the  usual  time 
being  from  two  to  two  and  a  half  minutes.  She  always  remained  a  long  time  under  water 
after  having  been  fired  at. 

The  capsizing  of  canoes  by  these  animals  is  quite  a  common  occurrence  on  most  African 
rivers,  and  the  great  pains  the  natives  will  take  in  certain  districts  to  give  these  animals  a 
wide  berth  seem  to  prove  that  they  have  good  reason  to  dread  them.  Solitary  bulls  and 
cows  with  young  calves  are  the  most  feared.  Such  animals  will  sometimes,  I  have  been 
assured  by  the  natives,  tear  out  the  side  of  a  canoe  with  their  teeth,  and  even  crunch  up 
some  of  its  occupants  whilst  they  are  trying  to  save  themselves  by  swimming.  Sipopo,  a 
chief  of  the  Barotse  tribe,  who  was  deposed  by  his  nephew  Mona  Wena  in  1876,  was  said 
to  have  been  attacked  and  killed  by  a  hippopotamus  whilst  lying  wounded  amongst  the  reeds 
on  the  southern  bank  of  the  Zambesi,  but  I  cannot  vouch  for  the  truth  of  the  story. 

Bull  hippopotamuses  must  be  rather  quarrelsome,  as  I  have  shot  several  whose  hides  were 

deeply  scored  with  wounds,  no  doubt 
inflicted  by  the  tusks  of  their  rivals. 
Once  I  killed  a  hippopotamus  in  a 
shallow  lagoon  amongst  the  swamps 
of  the  Chobi,  whose  enormously  thick 
hide  had  been  literally  cut  to  pieces 
from  head  to  tail.  The  entire  body 
of  this  animal  was  covered  with  deep 
white  scores,  and  we  were  unable  to 
cut  a  single  sjambok  from  its  skin. 
We  found,  on  examination,  that  this 
poor  beast  had  been  wounded  by 
natives,  and  then  in  its  distress  most 
cruelly  set  upon  by  its  fellows,  and 
finally  expelled  from  their  society.  It 
was  in  the  last  stage  of  emaciation, 
and  a  bullet  through  the  brain  must 
have  been  a  welcome  relief.  On 
another  occasion  a  hippopotamus  bull, 
which  I  had  wounded  in  the  nose, 
became  so  furious  that  it  dived  down 
and  attacked  one  of  its  fellows  which 
had  already  been  killed  and  was 
lying  dead  at  the  bottom  of  the  pool. 
Seizing  this  latter  animal  by  the 
hind  leg,  it  brought  it  to  the  surface 

of  the  water  with  such  a  furious  rush  that  not  only  half  the  body  of  the  dead  animal  it  had 
attacked  was  exposed,  but  the  whole  of  its  own  head  and  shoulders  came  above  the  water. 
A  bullet  through  the  brain  killed  it  instantly,  and  it  sank  to  the  bottom  of  the  pool,  still 
holding  its  companion's  hind  leg  fast  in  its  jaws. 

When  a  hippopotamus  is  killed  in  the  water,  the  carcase  sinks  to  the  bottom,  and  in  the 
cold  water  of  the  rivers  of  Mashonaland  will  not  rise  to  the  surface  till  six  hours  after  death. 
In  the  warmer  water  of  the  Lower  Zambesi  a  dead  hippopotamus  will  come  up  in  about  half 
that  time.  When  it  rises,  the  carcase  comes  up  like  a  submerged  cork,  with  a  rush  as  it  were, 
and  then  settles  down,  only  a  small  piece  of  the  side  showing  above  the  surface.  As  decom- 
position sets  in,  it  becomes  more  and  more  swollen,  and  shows  higher  and  higher  above  the 
water.  When  the  body  of  a  dead  hippopotamus  has  been  taken  by  the  wind  or  current  to 
the  wrong  side  of  a  river,  I  have  often  climbed  on  to  it  and  paddled  it  with  a  stout  stick 
right  across  the  river  to  a  spot  nearer  camp.  A  dead  hippopotamus  is  not  the  easiest  or  the 


DENTAL  OPERATIONS  ON  A  HIPPOPOTAMUS— KO.  I. 

This  and  the  next  two  photographs  probably  constitute  the  most  remarkable 
series  of  animal  photographs  ever  seen.  No  1  shows  a  hippopotamus  about  to  be 
trapped,  preparatory  to  having  its  teeth  attended  to. 


The    Pig    and    Hippopotamus 


323 


DENTAL   OPERATIONS   ON   A   HIPPOPOTAMUS — NO.    II. 

This  shows  the  process  of  filing  one  of  the  lower  tusks. 


pleasantest   thing   to    sit  on    in    deep 

water  with  crocodiles  about,  especially 

in    a  wind,  as   it    is   very  much    like 

sitting  on  a  floating  barrel,  and  unless 

the  balance  is  exactly  maintained  one 

is  bound  to   roll  off. 

Although    it    is    often    necessary 

for  an  African  traveller  to    shoot  one 

or   more   of  them    in  order  to  obtain 

a    supply    of    meat    for     his     native 

followers,    there    is    not    much    sport 

attached  to  the  killing  of  these  animals. 

The    modern    small-bore    rifles,    with 

their   low   trajectory  and    great  pene- 
tration, render  their   destruction  very 

easy   when    they   are    encountered    in 

small  lakes   or   narrow  rivers,   though 

in  larger  sheets  of  water,  where  they 

must    be    approached    and    shot   from 

rickety  canoes,  it  is   by  no   means    a 

simple  matter  to  kill  hippopotamuses, 

especially  after  they  have   grown  shy 

and    wary   through    persecution.      As 

these   animals   are    almost    invariably 

killed   by  Europeans  in  the  daytime, 

and   are  therefore  encountered  in  the 

water,   they  are  usually  shot  through  the  brain  as  they   raise  their  heads  above  the  surface   to 

breathe.      By   the    natives    hippopotamuses   are    killed    in  various    ways.      They   are    sometimes 

attacked  first  with  harpoons,  to  which  long  lines  are  attached,  with  a  float  at  the  end  to  mark 

the   position    of   the  wounded   animal,  and  then  followed   up   in   canoes   and  finally  speared   to 

death.  Sometimes  they  are  caught  in  huge 
pitfalls,  or  killed  by  the  fall  of  a  spear-head 
fixed  in  a  heavy  block  of  wood,  which  is  re- 
leased from  its  position  when  a  line,  attached 
to  the  weight  and  then  pegged  across  a 
hippopotamus's  path  a  few  inches  above  the 

,/'   }  '-^^^^^  ••      If    "^H.f7 "'''    r-  i*1'7-'^'       ground,   is    suddenly  pulled    by    the   feet   of 

-^  K  i*'*  •**  •'"'•'  *         ''"        one   of  these  animals  striking  against  it.      A 

friend  of  mine  once  had  a  horse  killed  under 
him  by  a  similar  trap  set  for  buffaloes.  His 
horse's  feet  struck  the  line  attached  to  the 
heavily  weighted  spear-head,  and  down  it 
came,  just  missing  his  head  and  entering  his 
horse's  back  close  behind  the  saddle.  Where 
the  natives  have  guns — mostly  old  muzzle- 
loading  weapons  of  large  bore — they  often 
shoot  hippopotamuses  at  close  quarters  when 
they  are  feeding  at  night.  The  most  destruc- 
tive native  method,  however,  of  killing  these 
monsters  with  which  I  am  acquainted  is  one 

DENTAL  OPERATIONS  ON  A  HIPPOPOTAMUS— NO.  in.  which    used   to    be    practised   by   the    natives 

sawing  off  one  of  the  lower  tusks.  of  Northern  Mashonaland — namely,  fencing  in 


324 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


Photo  by  York  <fc  Son]  [Hotting  Hill. 

FEMALE  HIPPOPOTAMUSES. 
Exhibits  A  very  characteristic  attitude  of  the  animal. 


strengthened,  and  platforms  some- 
times built  to  command  naturally 
weak  places,  and  from  these  points 
of  vantage  the  poor  animals  were 
speared  when  in  their  desperation 
they  tried  to  leave  the  pool. 
Gradually  the  whole  herd  would  be 
speared  or  starved  to  death. 

Once,  in  August,  1880,  I  came 
upon  a  native  tribe  engaged  in 
starving  to  death  a  herd  of  hippo- 
potamuses in  a  pool  of  the  Umniati 
Kiver,  in  Northern  Mashonaland. 
When  I  came  on  the  scene,  there 
were  ten  hippopotamuses  still  alive 
in  the  pool.  Eight  of  these  appeared 
to  be  standing  on  a  sandbank  in  the 
middle  of  the  river,  as  more  than 
half  their  bodies  were  above  the 
water.  They  were  all  huddled  up 
together,  their  heads  resting  on  each 
other's  bodies.  Two  others  were 
swimming  about,  each  with  a  heavily 
shafted  assegai  sticking  in  its  back. 
Besides  these  ten  still  living  hippo- 
potamuses two  dead  ones  were  being 
cut  up  on  the  side  of  the  pool,  and 
many  more  must  already  have  been 


a  herd  of  these  animals  and  starving 
them  to  death.  As  there  is  a  very 
rapid  fall  in  the  country  through 
which  all  the  rivers  run  to  the 
Zambesi  from  the  northern  slope  of 
Mashonaland,  these  streams  consist  of 
a  series  of  deep,  still  pools  (called 
"  sea-cow  holes  "  by  the  old  hunters), 
from  a  hundred  yards  to  more  than 
a  mile  in  length,  connected  with  one 
another  by  shallow,  swift-flowing  water, 
often  running  in  several  small  streams 
over  the  bed  of  the  river.  A  herd  of 
hippopotamuses  having  been  found 
resting  for  the  day  in  one  of  the 
smaller  pools,  all  the  natives  in  the 
district,  men,  women,  and  children, 
would  collect  and  build  strong  fences 
across  the  shallows  at  each  end.  At 
night  large  fires  would  be  kept  blazing 
all  round  the  pool  and  tom-toms 
beaten  incessantly,  in  order  to  prevent 
the  imprisoned  animals  from  escaping. 
Day  after  day  the  fences  would  be 


Photo  by  York  <fc  Son]  [dotting  Hill. 

A  HIPPOPOTAMUS  FAMILY — FATHER,   MOTHER,  AND  YOUNG. 

Hippopotamuses  are  very  sociable  animals,  and  are  often  to  be  met  with  in  large 

herds. 


The    Pig    and    Hippopotamus 


325 


Photo  by  Q.  W.  WIUUH  &  Co.,  Ltd.] 

HIPPOPOTAMUS. 

The  skin  of  the  hippopotamus  is  often  as  much  as  an  inch  and  a  half  in  thickness  on  the  upper  parts  of  the  body. 

killed,  as  all  round  the  pool  festoons  of  meat  were  hanging  on  poles  to  dry,  and  a  large 
number  of  natives  had  been  living  for  some  time  on  nothing  but  hippopotamus-meat. 
Altogether  I  imagine  that  a  herd  of  at  least  twenty  animals  must  have  been  destroyed. 
Much  as  one  must  regret  such  a  wholesale  slaughter,  it  must  be  remembered  that  this  great 
killing  was  the  work  of  hungry  savages,  who  at  any  rate  utilised  every  scrap  of  the  meat 
thus  obtained,  and  much  of  the  skin  as  well,  for  food;  and  such  an  incident  is  far  less 
reprehensible — indeed,  stands  on  quite  a  different  plane  as  regards  moral  guilt — to  the  wanton 
destruction  of  a  large  number  of  hippopotamuses  in  the  Umzingwani  Eiver,  near  Bulawayo, 
within  a  few  months  of  the  conquest  of  Matabililand  by  the  Chartered  Company's  forces  in 
1893.  These  animals  had  been  protected  for  many  years  by  Lo  Bengula  and  his  father 
Umziligazi  before  him  ;  but  no  sooner  were  the  Matabili  conquered  and  their  country  thrown 
open  to  white  men  than  certain  unscrupulous  persons  destroyed  all  but  a  very  few  of  these 
half-tame  animals,  for  the  sake  of  the  few  paltry  pieces  of  money  their  hides  were  worth ! 

Gradually,  as  the  world  grows  older,  more  civilised,  and,  to  my  thinking,  less  and  less 
interesting,  the  range  of  the  hippopotamus,  like  that  of  all  other  large  animals,  must  become 
more  and  more  circumscribed ;  but  now  that  all  Africa  has  been  parcelled  out  amongst  the 
white  races  of  Western  Europe,  if  the  indiscriminate  killing  of  hippopotamuses  by  either  white 
men  or  natives  can  be  controlled,  and  the  constant  and  cruel  custom  of  firing  at  the  heads  of 
these  animals  from  the  decks  of  river-steamers  all  over  Africa  be  put  a  stop  to,  I  believe  that 
this  most  interesting  mammal,  owing  to  the  nature  of  its  habitat,  and  the  vast  extent  of  the 
rivers,  swamps,  and  lakes  in  which  it  still  exists  in  considerable  numbers,  will  long  outlive 
all  other  pachydermatous  animals.  Hideous,  uncouth,  and  unnecessary  as  the  hippopotamus 


326 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


Photo  by  York  0;  Son} 


[Notting  Hill. 


MALE   AND   FEMALE   HIPPOPOTAMUSES. 


A  hippopotamus  is  almost  inseparable  from  the  water ;  it  never  goes  farther  away 
than  possible  from  a  river  or  lake. 


may  seem  when  viewed  from  behind 
the  bars  of  its  den  in  a  zoological 
garden,  it  is  nevertheless  true  that, 
when  these  animals  have  been 
banished  from  an  African  river  by 
the  progress  of  civilisation,  that  river 
has  lost  one  of  its  highest  charms 
and  greatest  ornaments. 

The  PYGMY  or  LIBERT  AN  HIPPO- 
POTAMUS is  confined  to  Upper  Guinea, 
and,  compared  with  its  only  existing 
relative,  is  a  very  small  animal,  not 
standing  more  than  2  feet  6  inches 
in  height,  and  measuring  less  than 
6  feet  in  length.  In  weight  a  full- 
grown  specimen  will  scale  about 
400  Ibs.  But  little  is  known  of 
the  habits  of  this  rare  animal,  speci- 
mens of  which,  I  believe,  have  never 
been  obtained,  except  by  the  German 
naturalists  Herrn  Biittikofer  and 
Jentink.  When  alive,  the  colour  of 
the  skin  of  the  pygmy  hippopotamus 
is  said  to  be  of  a  greenish  black, 
changing  on  the  under-parts  to 
yellowish  green.  The  surface  of  the 
skin  is  very  shiny.  This  species, 

unlike  its  giant  relative,  does  not  congregate  in  herds,  nor  pass  its  days  in  rivers  or  lakes,  but 
lives  in  pairs  in  marshes  or  shady  forests.  It  sleeps  during  the  day,  and  at  night  wanders 
over  a  great  extent  of  country,  eating  grass,  wild  fruits,  and  the  young  shoots  of  trees.  Its 
flesh  is  said  to  be  very  succulent  and  much  esteemed  by  the  natives. 

A  hippopotamus,  apparently  of  the  same  species  as  that  now  found  in  Africa,  formerly 
inhabited  the  Thames  Valley.  Great  quantities  of  fossil  remains  of  another  species  are  also 
found  in  the  island  of  Sicily.  The  bones  found  in  England  are  mainly  in  the  river  gravel 
and  brick  earth  of  the  south  and  midland  districts  of  England.  This  seems  to  show  that  at 
the  time  when  the  animal  existed  our  rivers  rnust  have  been  open  all  the  year,  and  not 
ice-bound,  for  it  is  certain  that  no  hippopotamus  could  live  in  a  river  which  froze  in  winter. 
Yet  among  the  remains  of  these  animals  are  also  found  those  of  quite  arctic  species  like  the 
Musk-ox  and  the  Eeindeer,  together  with  those  of  the  Saiga  Antelope,  an  inhabitant  of  the 
cold  plateau  of  Tibet.  The  problem  is  :  How  could  these  creatures,  one  a  dweller  in  warm 
rivers  and  the  others  inhabitants  of  cold  arctic  or  sub-arctic  regions,  have  existed  together, 
apparently  on  the  same  area  of  ground  ?  The  answer,  which  does  not  seem  to  have  occurred 
to  naturalists  who  have  discussed  the  question,  seems  to  be  plain  enough.  Any  one  who 
knows  the  conditions  of  the  great  rift  valleys  of  Central  Africa  has  the  key  to  the  solution 
of  the  puzzle.  There  was  probably  a  very  great  difference  in  the  vertical  plane.  Deep  in 
the  rift  was  probably  a  warm  river,  while  above  it  may  have  been  mountains  from  10,000 
to  20,000  feet  high,  with  snow  on  the  summits  and  glaciers  in  their  valleys.  On  these  cold 
and  arctic  heights  the  reindeer  and  the  musk-ox  would  find  congenial  homes.  Thousands 
of  feet  below,  in  the  hot  and  narrow  valley,  the  hippopotamus  would  revel  in  a  warm  and 
steamy  climate.  This  is  what  actually  occurs  in  the  rift  valleys  of  Central  Africa,  where 
the  hippopotamus  swims  in  rivers  that  are  at  no  great  distance  from  snow-covered  and  ice- 
capped  mountains. 


CHAPTER   XX. 

THE  DUGONG,   MANATEES,    WHALES,   PORPOISES,   AND  DOLPHINS. 

BY  F.   G.   AFLALO,   F.Z.S. 

THE   DUGONG  AND   MANATEES. 

r  1 1HESE  curious  creatures,  which  seem  to  have  been  the  basis  of  much  of  the  old  mermaid 

JL      legend,  have  puzzled  many  eminent    naturalists.      Before  they  were    placed   in   an  order 

by  themselves,  Linnaeus  had  classed  them  with  the  Walrus,  Cuvier  with  the  Whales,  and 

another  French  zoologist  with  the  Elephants.     They  are  popularly  regarded  as  the  cows  of  the 

sea-pastures.      Their   habits  justify   this.       I  have   often  watched   dugongs   on   the    Queensland 

coast  browsing  on  the  long  grasses,  of  which  they  tear  up  tussocks  with  sidelong  twists  of  the 

head,  coming  to  the  surface  to  breathe  at  short  intervals. 

Omitting  the  extinct  Ehytina,  otherwise  known  as  Steller's  Sea-cow,  which  was  exterminated 
in  the  Bering  Strait  not  very  long  after  civilised  man  had  first  learnt  of  its  existence,  we 
have  to  consider  two  distinct  groups,  or  genera,  of  these  sirenians.  The  DUGONG  is  the 
representative  of  the  first,  and  the  two  MANATEES  belong  to  the  other. 

The  dugong  is  found  on  the  coasts  of  Northern  Australia,  in  many  parts  of  the  Indian 
Ocean  (particularly  off  Ceylon),  and  in  the  Eed  Sea.  It  is  easily  distinguished,  by  even 
superficial  observation,  from  the  manatees.  Its  tail  is  slightly  forked,  somewhat  like  that  of 
the  whales  :  the  tail  of  manatees,  on  the  other  hand,  is  rounded.  The  dugong's  flippers,  to 
which  we  also  find  a  superficial  resemblance  in  those  of  the  whale,  show  no  traces  of  external 
nails  :  in  those  of  the  manatees,  which  show  projecting  nails,  there  is  a  considerable  power  of 
free  movement  (the  hands  being,  in  fact,  used  in  manipulating  the  food),  which  is  not  the 


Fhoto  by  A.  S.  Rudland  &  Sons. 

DUGONG. 

A  vegetable-feeding  sea-mammal  from  the  Indian  Ocean  and  North  Australian  waters. 

327 


328 


The    Living   Animals    of    the    World 


I'liolo  by  A.  S.  liudland  <L-  Sons. 


AMERICAN   MANATEE. 
Found  in  the  Amazons  River.    The  Matatees  differ  remarkably  from  the  Dugorjg  in  the  number  and  structure  of  their  teeth. 


case  in  the  limbs  of  the  whale.  The  body  of  the  dugong  is  almost  smooth,  though  there  are 
bristles  in  the  region  of  the  mouth :  that  of  the  manatees  is  studded  with  short  hairs.  The 
male  dugong  has  two  large  tusks  :  in  neither  sex  of  the  manatees  are  such  tusks  developed. 
Finally,  a  more  detailed  examination  of  the  skeletons  would  reveal  the  fact  that,  whereas  the 
dugong  has  the  usual  seven  bones  in  the  neck,  that  of  the  manatees  has  only  six. 

When  we  come  to  the  Whales,  we  shall  encounter  that  very  characteristic  covering  known 
as  "  blubber " ;  and,  though  it  is  present  in  smaller  quantity,  these  sirenians  have  blubber  as 
well.  Complex  stomachs  they  also  have,  like  the  whales,  only  in  their  case  both  the  nature 
of  the  food  and  the  structure  of  the  teeth  point  clearly  to  a  ruminating  habit,  which,  for 
reasons  that  will  be  given  in  the  right  place,  seems  inadmissible  in  the  whales.  In  both 
dugong  and  manatees  the  mouth  is  furnished  with  singular  horny  plates,  the  precise  use  of 
which  does  not  appear  to  have  been  satisfactorily  determined ;  and  the  upper  lip  of  the 
manatee  is  cleft  in  two  hairy  pads  that  work  laterally.  This  enables  the  animal  to  draw 
the  grass  into  its  mouth  without  using  the  lower  lip  at  all. 

In  their  mode  of  life  >  the  dugong  and  manatees  differ  as  widely  almost  as  in  their 
appearance ;  for  the  former  is  a  creature  of  open  coasts,  whereas  the  manatees  hug  river- 
estuaries'?  and  even  travel  many  miles  up  the  rivers.  Of  both  it  has  been  said  that  they  leave 
the  water  •  at  night,  and  the  manatees  have  even  been  accused  of  plundering  crops  near  the 
banks.  The  few,  however,  which  have  been  under  observation  in  captivity  have  always  been 
manifestly  uncomfortable  whenever,  by  accident  or  otherwise,  the  water  of  their  tank  was  run 
off,  so  that  there  is  not  sufficient  reason  for  believing  this  assertion. 

This  group  of  animals  cannot  be  regarded  as  possessing  any  high  commercial  value,  though 
both  natives  and  white  men  eat  their  flesh,  and  the  afore-mentioned  rhytina  was,  in  fact, 
exterminated  solely  for  the  sake  of  its  meat.  There  is  also  a  limited  use  for  the  bones  as 
ivory,  and  the  leather  is  employed  on  a  small  scale, — a  German  writer  has,  in  fact,  been  at 
great  pains  to  prove  that  the  Tabernacle,  which  was  300  cubits  long,  was  roofed  with  dugong- 
fikin,  and  the  Eed  Sea  is  certainly  well  within  the  animal's  range. 


The  Dugong,  Manatees,  Whales,  Porpoises,  and  Dolphins    329 


THE  WHALES,  PORPOISES,  AND  DOLPHINS. 

Although  anatomists  have  good  reason  for  suspecting  that  all  the  members  of  the  Whale 
Tribe  are  directly  descended  from  river-dwelling  forms,  if  not  indeed,  more  remotely,  from 
some  land  animal,  there  is  something  appropriate  in  the  fact  of  the  vast  ocean,  which 
covers  something  like  three-quarters  of  the  earth's  surface,  producing  the  mightiest  creatures 
which  have  ever  lived.  There  should  also  be  some  little  satisfaction  for  ourselves  in  the 
thought  that,  their  fish-like  form  notwithstanding,  these  enormous  beings  really  belong  to 
the  highest,  or  mammalian,  class  of  animal  life. 

One  striking  feature  all  these  many-sized  cetaceans  have  in  common,  and  that  is  their 
similarity  of  form.  Though  they  may  vary  in  length  from  70  to  7  feet,  their  outline  shows 
a  remarkable  uniformity.  Important  internal  and  even  external  differences  there  may  be. 
A  whale  may  be  toothed  or  toothless  ;  a  dolphin  may  be  beaked  or  round-headed ;  either  may 
be  with  or  without  a  slight  ridge  on  the  back  or  a  distinct  dorsal  fin ;  but  no  cetacean  could 
well  be  mistaken  for  an  animal  of  any  other  order.  It  is  as  well  to  appreciate  as  clearly  as 
possible  this  close  general  resemblance  between  the  largest  whale  and  the  smallest  dolphin, 
as  the  similarity  is  one  of  some  interest ;  and  we  may  estimate  it  at  its  proper  worth  if  we 
bear  in  mind  that  two  species  of  cetaceans,  outwardly  alike,  may  not,  perhaps,  be  more  closely 
allied  than  such  divergent  ruminant  types  as  the  elephant,  the  giraffe,  and  the  gazelle. 

Reference  has  already  been  made  to  the  fact  that  the  whales  are  true  mammals,  and  we  must 
now  clearly  set  before  us  the  justification  for  separating  them  from  the  Fishes — to  which  any  one 
with  a  superficial  knowledge  of  their  habits  and  appearance  would  unhesitatingly  assign  them — 
and  raising  them  to  the  company  of  other  mammals.  Let  us  first  separate  them  from  the 
Fishes.  The  vast  majority  of  fishes,  with  some  familiar  exceptions  like  the  conger-eel,  are  covered 
with  scales  :  whales  have  no  scales.  The  tail  of  fishes,  often  forked  like  that  of  whales,  is 
set  vertically  :  in  whales  the  tail  is  set  laterally,  and  for  this  a  good  reason  will  presently  be 
shown.  Fishes  have  anal  fins  :  whales  not  only  have  no  anal  fins,  but  their  so-called  pectoral 
fins  differ  radically  from  the  fins  of  fishes.  Fishes  breathe  with  the  aid  of  gills  :  whales  have 


Photo  by  A.  S.  Rudland  &  Sons. 


NARWHAL. 
An  Arctic  whale,  with  one  or  rarely  two  long  spears  of  bone  projecting  from  the  head. 


42 


330 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


no  gills.  Fishes,  in  the  vast  majority  of  cases,  reproduce  their  young  by  spawning,  the  eggs 
being  left  to  hatch  out  either  in  gravel-beds  or  among  the  water-plants,  lying  on  the  bottom 
(as  in  the  case  of  the  herring),  or  floating  near  the  surface  (as  in  that  of  the  plaice)  :  whales 
do  not  lay  eggs,  but  bear  the  young  alive.  This  brings  us  to  the  simple  points  of  resemblance 
between  them  and  other  mammals.  When  the  young  whale  is  born,  it  is  nourished  on  its 
mother's  milk.  This  alone  would  constitute  its  claim  to  a  place  among  the  highest  class. 
Whales  breathe  atmospheric  air  by  means  of  lungs.  Hair  is  peculiarly  the  covering  of  mammals, 
just  as  scales  are  characteristic  of  fishes  and  feathers  of  birds.  Many  whales,  it  is  true,  have  no 


Photo  by  A,  S.  liudland  d-  Song. 


GRAMPUS,   OE  KILLER. 
A  carnivorous  cetacean  with  large  teeth,  often  found  in  British  seas. 


hair ;  but  others,  if  only  in  the  embryonic  stage,  have  traces  of  this  characteristic  mammalian 
covering.  It  must,  moreover,  be  remembered  that  in  some  other  orders  of  mammals  the  amount 
of  hair  varies  considerably — as,  for  instance,  between  the  camel  and  rhinoceros. 

Having,  then,  shown  that  whales  are  mammals,  we  must  now  determine  the  chief  features 
of  the  more  typical  members  of  the  order.  The  extremities  of  whales  are  characteristic : 
a  large  head,  occupying  in  some  species  as  much  as  one-third '  of  the  total  length ;  and 
the  afore-mentioned  forked,  or  lobed,  tail  set  laterally.  The  flippers,  which  bear  only  a 
slight  resemblance  to  the  pectoral  fins  in  fishes,  are  in  reality  hands  encased  in  swimming- 
gloves.  In  some  whales  these  hands  are  five-fingered,  in  others  the  fingers  number  only  four. 


The  Dugong,  Manatees,  Whales,  Porpoises,  and  Dolphins    331 

but  many  of  the  fingers  contain  more  bones  than  the  fingers  of  man.  In  some  whales  we 
•find  a  dorsal  fin,  and  this,  as  also  the  flippers,  acts  as  a  balancer.  In  no  whale  or 
porpoise  is  there  any  external  trace  of  hind  limbs,  but  the  skeleton  of  some  kinds  shows  in 
varying  stages  of  degradation  a  rudimentary  bone  answering  to  this  description.  Perhaps 
however,  the  most  distinctive  feature  of  whales  is  the  blow-hole,  situated,  like  the  nostrils 
•of  the  hippopotamus,  on  the  upper  surface  of  the  head,  and  similarly  enabling  the  animal  to 
breathe  the  air  without  exposing  much  of  its  head  above  the  surface  of  the  water.  The 
blow-hole  (or  blow-holes,  for  whalebone-whales  have  two)  may  be  said  to  take  the  place  of 
nostrils  as  regards  the  breathing,  though  perhaps  no  sense  of  smell  is  included  in  its  functions. 
In  the  Sperm-whale,  or  Cachalot,  there  is  a  single  c/)-shaped  blow-hole  near  the  end  of -the 
snout.  The  well-known  spouting  of  whales  is  merely  the  breathing  out  of  warm  vapour,  which, 
on  coming  in  contact  with  the  colder  air — and  it  should  be  remembered  that  most  whaling  is 
carried  on  in  the  neighbourhood  of  icebergs — condenses  in  a  cloud  above  the  animal's  head. 
I  have  seen  many  a  sperm-whale  spout,  and  the  cloud  of  spray,  often  mixed  with  a  varying 
volume  of  water  if  the  whale  commences  to  blow  before  its  blow-hole  is  clear  of  the  surface, 
drifts  forward  over  the  forehead.  This  is  due  to  the  forward  position  of  the  blow-hole.  I  never 
to  my  knowledge  saw  a  whalebone-whale  spouting,  but  its  double  jet  is  said  to  ascend  vertically 
over  its  back,  and  this  would  in  like  manner  be  accounted  for  by  the  more  posterior  position 
of  the  blow-holes.  Having  filled  its  lungs,  which  are  long  and  of  simple  structure,  with  fresh 
air,  in  enormous  draughts  that  fill  the  great  cavities  of  its  chest,  the  whale  sinks  to  the 
depths.  There,  in  ordinary  circumstances,  it  will  lie  for  a  quarter  of  an  hour  or  more,  but 
the  pain  of  the  harpoon  and  the  knowledge  that  there  is  danger  at  the  surface  may  keep  it 
below  for  as  much  as  an  hour.  When  it  has  to  breathe  again,  a  few  powerful  strokes  from 
the  laterally  set  tail  suffice  to  bring  it  quickly  to  the  surface.  This  is  not  the  place  for  a 
detailed  anatomy  of  the  whale;*  but  no  one  can  fail  to  notice  with  admiration  such  parts  of 
its  equipment  for  the  battle  of  life  as  the  structure  of  its  windpipe,  which  enables  it  to  breathe 
with  comfort  with  its  mouth  full  of  water,  the  complicated  network  of  blood-vessels  that 
ensures  the  slow  and  thorough  utilising  of  all  the  oxygen  in  its  lungs  while  it  remains  at  the 
bottom,  and  the  elastic  cushion  of  blubber  that  makes  this  gigantic  animal  indifferent  to 
extremes  of  pressure  and  temperature.  Thanks  mainly  to  its  coat  of  blubber,  the  whale 
exists  with  equal  comfort  at  the  surface  or  hundreds  of  fathoms  below  it ;  in  the  arctic  or  in 
tropical  seas. 

It  is  not  perhaps  in  keeping  with  the  plan  of  this  work  that  we  should  consider  in  detail 
the  soft  parts  of  the  whale's  inside.  One  or  two  parts  of  its  feeding  and  digestive  mechanism 
may,  however,  offer  some  points  of  passing  interest.  The  complex  stomach,  which  is  divided 
into  chambers,  like  that  of  the  ruminants  already  described,  has  suggested  that  the  latter  function 


Photo  by  A.  S.  Rudland  it-  Song. 


SHOKT-BEAKED    KIVEK-DOLPHIN. 
In  this  type  the  head  is  produced  into  a  beak,  supported  in  the  upper  jaw  by  a  mass  of  ivory-like  bone. 


332 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


may  in  a  modified  process  be  performed  by  whales.  It  is,  however,  evident  that  the  teeth  of 
toothed  whales  are  in  no  way  adapted  to  the  act  of  mastication,  which  is  inseparable  from  any 
conception  of  ruminating,  while  the  toothless  whales  have  as  complicated  a  stomach  as  the 
rest.  Mr.  Beddard,  writing  on  the  subject  in  his  interesting  "  Book  of  Whales,"  takes  the 
more  reasonable  view  that  the  first  chamber  of  the  stomach  of  whales  should  be  regarded 
rather  as  a  storehouse  in  which  the  food  is  crushed  and  softened.  The  teeth  of  whales,  the 
survival  of  which  in  the  adult  animal  offers  the  simplest  basis  of  its  classification  under  one 
or  other  of  the  two  existing  groups,  or  sub-orders,  are  essentially  different  from  the  teeth 
of  many  other  kinds  of  mammals.  It  cannot,  perhaps,  be  insisted  that  the  distinctive  terms 
employed  for  these  two  categories  of  whales  are  wholly  satisfactory.  For  instance,  the 
so-called  "  toothless  "  whales  have  distinct  teeth  before  birth,  thus  claiming  descent  from  toothed 
kinds.  On  the  other  hand,  the  so-called  ';  toothed  "  whales  are  by  no  means  uniformly  equipped 
in  this  respect,  some  of  the  porpoises  having  as  many  as  twenty-six  teeth,  distributed  over 
both  jaws,  while  the  bottlenoses  have  no  more  than  two,  or  at  most  four,  and  these  in 
the  lower  jaw  only.  Only  the  lower  jaw,  in  fact,  of  the  great  sperm-whale .  bears  teeth  that 
are  of  any  use,  though  there  are  smaller  and  functionless  teeth  in  the  gums  of  the  upper. 
The  teeth  of  whales,  by  the  way,  are  not  differentiated  like  our  canines  and  molars,  but  are- 
all  of  one  character.  Although,  in  "  toothless "  whales,  the  fetal  teeth  disappear  with  the 
coming  of  the  baleen, 
or  whalebone,  the  latter 
must  not,  in  either  struc- 
ture or  uses,  be  thought 
to  take  their  place.  The 
plates  of  whalebone  act 
rather  as  a  hairy  strainer. 
Unless  we  seek  a  possible 
analogy  at  the  other  end 
of  the  mammalian  scale, 
in  the  Australian  duck- 
bill, the  feeding  of  the 
whalebone-whales  is 
unique.  They  gulp  in 
the  water,  full  of  plank- 
ton, swimming  open- 
mouthed  through  the  streaks  of  that  substance.  Then  the  huge  jaws  are  closed,  and  the 
massive  tongue  is  moved  slowly,  so  as  to  drive  the  water  from  the  angles  of  the  mouth 
through  the  straining-plates  of  baleen,  the  food  remaining  stranded  on  these  and  on  the 
tongue.  The  size  and  number  of  the  baleen-plates  appear  to  vary  in  a  degree  not  yet 
definitely  established  ;  but  there  may,  in  a  large  whale,  be  as  many  as  between  300  and  400- 
on  either  side  of  the  cavernous  mouth,  and  they  may  measure  as  much  as  10  or  12  feet  in 
length  and  7  or  8  feet  in.  width. 

An  enumeration  of  such  whales  and  porpoises  and  dolphins  as  have  at  one  time  or  other 
been  stranded  on  the  shores  of  the  British  Isles  may  serve  as  an  epitome  of  the  whole 
order.  Only  one  interesting  group,  in  fact — the  Eiver-dolphins  of  the  Ganges  and  Amazons — 
is  unrepresented  in  the  British  list.  Whales,  either  exhausted  or  dead,  are  periodically  thrown, 
up  on  our  coasts,  even  on  the  less-exposed  portions — one  of  the  most  recent  examples  in 
the  writer's  memory  being  that  of  a  large  specimen,  over  60  feet  long,  stranded  on  the  sands 
near  Boscombe,  in  Hampshire,  and  the  skeleton  of  which  at  present  adorns  Boscombe  Pier. 
It  was  one  of  the  rorquals,  or  finbacks,  probably  of  the  species  called  after  Rudolphi;  but  the 
skeleton  is  imperfect,  though  its  owner,  Dr.  Spencer  Simpson,  appears  to  have  preserved  some 
details  of  its  earlier  appearance.  It  should  be  remembered  that  many  of  the  following  can 
only  be  regarded  as  "  British  "  with  considerable  latitude,  the  records  of  their  visits  being  in. 


Photo  by  A.  S.  Rudtand  a,-  Soitx. 

SOWERBY'S  BEAKED  WHALE. 

One  of  the  rarest  of  British  whales,  and  very  scarce  elsewhere.     It  probably  inhabits  the  open  seas. 


The  Dugong,  Manatees,  Whales,  Porpoises,  and  Dolphins      333 

some  cases  as  rare  as  those  of  the  rustic  bunting  and  red-necked  nightjar  among  birds,  or  of 
the  derbio  and  spotted  dragonet  among  fishes. 

British  zoologists,  however,  usually  include  the  following  : — WHALEBONE-WHALES  :  Southern 
Right-whale  ;  Humpback  ;  Finbacks,  or  Rorquals.  TOOTHED  WHALES  :  Sperm-whale,  or  Cachalot ; 
Narwhal ;  Beluga,  or  White  Whale ;  Grampuses ;  Beaked  Whale  ;  Broad-fronted  Whale ;  Cuvier's 
Whale ;  Sowerby's  Whale  ;  Pilot-whale ;  Porpoise ;  Dolphin  ;  White-sided  Dolphin  ;  W'hite-beaked 
Dolphin ;  Bottlenose. 

A  selection  may  therefore  be  made  of  five  of  the  most  representative  of  these  species the 

SOUTHERN  WHALE,  the  CACHALOT,  the  NARWHAL,  the  PORPOISE,  and  the  DOLPHIN. 

The  SOUTHERN  WHALE,  which,  in  common  with  the  closely  allied  polar  species,  whaling- 
crews  call  "right,"  seeing  that  all  other  kinds  are,  from  their  point  of  view,  "wrong,"  is 
probably  the  only  right-whale  which  has  ever  found  its  way  to  our  shores.  Some  writers 
include  the  Greenland  Right-whale,  but  their  authority  for  this  is  doubtful.  It  is  said  to  grow 
to  a  length  of  at  any  rate  70  feet,  though  55  feet  would  perhaps  be  more  common  for  even 
large  specimens.  In  colour  it  is  said  to  be  dark  above,  with  a  varying  amount  of  white 
or  grey  on  the  flippers  and  under-surface.  The  head  and  mouth  are  very  large,  occupying 
in  some  cases  one-third  of  the  total  length,  and  the  baleen-plates  measure  as  much  as  8  or 
10  feet  in  length  and  5  or  6  feet  in  width.  The  species  has  no  back-fin,  but  there 
is  a  protuberance  on  the  snout,  known  technically  as  the  "  bonnet."  This  whale  appears  to 
give  birth  to  its  single  calf  some  time  in  the  spring  months,  and  the  mother  shows  great 
affection  for  her  offspring.  The  HUMPBACK  is  distinguished  from  the  right-whales  externally 
by  its  longer  flippers  and  the  prominence  on  its  back,  and  internally  by  the  fluted  skin 
of  the  throat.  The  FINNERS,  or  RORQUALS,  have  a  distinct  back-fin.  They  feed  on  fishes 
and  cuttles,  and  I  have  more  than  once  known  a  rorqual,  which  looked  fully  50  feet  long 
(comparing  it  roughly  with  my  24-foot  boat),  to  swim  slowly  round  and  round  my  lugger, 
down  on  the  Cornish  coast,  puffing  and  hissing  like  a  torpedo-boat  on  its  trial  trip,  rounding 
up  the  pilchards  in  a  mass,  and  every  now  and  then  dashing  through  them  open-mouthed  with 
a  terrific  roar,  after  several  of  which  helpings  it  would  sink  out  of  sight  and  not  again  put  in 
an  appearance. 

The  SPERM-WHALE,  or  CACHALOT,  may  serve  as  our  type  of  the  toothed  whales.  It 
attains  to  the  same  great  dimensions  as  the  largest  of  the  whalebone  group.  A  more  active 


Photo  by  A.  S.  liudiand  .1-  Sons. 


COMMON   POEPOISE. 

From  4  to  5  feet  long.    It  lives  in  "  schools,"  or  companies,  and  pursues  the  herrings  and  mackerel. 


334 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


animal  for  its  size  could  scarcely  be  conceived ;  and  I  have  seen  one,  in  the  Indian  Ocean, 
fling  itself  three  or  four  times  in  succession  out  of  water  like  a  salmon,  striking  the  surface 
each  time  as  it  fell  back  with  a  report  like  that  of  a  gun.  No  one  appears  to  have  explained 
whether  performances  of  this  sort  are  due  to  mere  playfulness,  or,  as  seems  more  probable,  to 
the  attacks  of  parasites  or  such  larger  enemies  as  sharks  or  "killers."  I  have  also  seen  four 
thresher-sharks  leaping  out  of  water,  and  ,  falling  with  a  loud  blow  on  the  whale's  back ;  but 
the  victim  lay  quite  still  in.  this  case,  and  may  in  fact  have  been  worn  out  before  we  came 
upon  the  scene.  I  wish  to  add  that  I  took  the  word  of  the  skipper,  himself  an  old  whaling- 
captain,  for  their  identity  as  threshers.  The  dazzling  sun  shone  full  on  them,  and  on  the 
sea  between,  and  it  was  impossible,  even  with  the  ship's  telescope,  to  recognise  them  with 

any  accuracy.  The 
cachalot  has  a  very 
different  profile  from  what 
any  one  who  had  seen 
only  its  skull  in  a 
museum  would  be  led  to 
expect,  for  the  sperm- 
cavity  in  the  forehead 
is  not  indicated  in  the 
bones.  The  structure  of 
the  head  enables  the 
animal  to  drop  the  lower 
jaw  almost  at  right  angles 
to  the  upper ;  and  Mr. 
Frank  Bullen  quotes,  in 
his  fascinating  "  Cruise 
of  the  Cachalot,"  the 
current  belief  that  it  does 
so  to  attract  its  prey  by 
the  whiteness  of  its  teeth 
and  palate.  Although 
both  fishes  and  cephalo- 
pods  are  very  curious, 
even  to  their  own  destruc- 
tion,  it  is  doubtful 
whether  the  whale  could 
not  catch  its  food  more 


Photo  by  A.  S.  Kudliuid  <fc  Sons. 

ELLIOTT'S  DOLPHIN. 

One  of  the  commoner  Indian  species. 


Photo  by  A.  S.  liudlaiid  it 


KISSO'S  DOLPHIN. 
About  13  feet  in  length,  found  in  almost  all  oceans. 


rapidly      by      swimming 
open-mouthed       through 
the  acres  of  floating  squid 
encountered   all  over  the 
warmer  waters  of  the  ocean. 
The  NARWHAL,  an  arctic  type,  may  be  distinguished  from  all  other  cetaceans  by  the  single 
spiral  tusk  in  the   left   side   of  the  head   of  the    male.      Sometimes   the    right    tusk    grows   as 
well,   and   either   may  attain   a   length   of  as   much   as  8   feet;   but   in   the  female   both   teeth 
remain  undeveloped. 

The  COMMON  PORPOISE  of  our  own  seas,  distinguished  by  its  rounded  head  from  the 
equally  common  beaked  dolphin,  is  too  familiar  to  need  much  description.  It  grows  to  a 
length  of  5  or  6  feet,  and  is  dark  in  colour  on  the  back  and  white  beneath.  Its  conspicuous 
back-fin  is  always  recognisable  when  it  gambols  with  a  herd  of  its  fellows;  and  a  line 
of  these  sea-pigs,  a  mile  or  sc  in  length,  is  no  uncommon  sight,  their  presence  inshore  being 
indicative  on  some  parts  of  the  coast  of  the  coming  of  east  wind.  The  porpoise  which  has. 


The  Dugong,  Manatees,  Whales,  Porpoises,  and  Dolphins      335 


Photo  by  A.  S.  Hiu/(a,u(  A  tivnx. 

BOTTLE-NOSED   DOLPHIN. 
From  8  to  9  feet  long,  found  from  the  Mediterranean  to  the  North  Sea. 


like  many  of  its  group, 
teeth  in  either  jaw,  is  a 
voracious  feeder,  preying  in 
estuaries  on  salmon  and 
flounders,  and  on  more  open 
parts  of  the  coast  on  pilchards 
and  mackerel.  It  is  occasion- 
ally a  serious  nuisance  in 
the  Mediterranean  sardine- 
fisheries,  and  I  have  known 
of  the  fishermen  of  Collioure, 
in  the  Gulf  of  Lyons,  appeal- 
ing to  the  French  Govern- 
ment to  send  a  gunboat  from 
Toulon  that  might  steam  after 
the  marauders  and  frighten 
them  away.  One  of  the  most 
remarkable  cases  of  a  feeding 
porpoise  that  I  can  recall  was  that  of  one  which  played  with  a  conger-eel  in  a  Cornish  harbour 
as  a  cat  might  play  with  a  mouse,  blowing  the  fish  20  or  30  feet  through  the  air,  and 
swimming  after  it  so  rapidly  as  to  catch  it  again  almost  as  it  touched  the  water. 

The  DOLPHIN,  which  is  in  some  seasons  as  common  in  the  British  Channel  as  the  more 
familiar  porpoise,  is  distinguished  by  its  small  head  and  long  beak,  the  lower  jaw  always 
carrying  more  teeth  than  the  upper.  It  feeds  on  pilchards  and  mackerel,  and,  like  the  porpoises, 
gambols,  particularly  after  an  east  wind,  with  its  fellows  close  inshore.  There  are  many  other 
marine  mammals  somewhat  loosely  bracketed  as  dolphins.  Kisso's  DOLPHIN,  for  instance,  a  rare 
visitor  to  our  coasts,  has  a  striped  skin,  and  its  jaws  are  without  teeth,  which  distinguish  it 
from  the  common  dolphin  and  most  of  the  others.  It  cannot  therefore  feed  on  fishes,  and 
most  probably  eats  squid  and  cuttle-fish.  The  BOTTLE-NOSED  DOLPHIN,  a  species  occurring  in 
the  greatest  numbers  on  the  Atlantic  coast  of  North  America,  is  regularly  hunted  for  its  oil. 
HEAVYSIDE'S  DOLPHIN,  which  hails  from  South  African  waters,  is  a  smaller  kind,  chiefly  remarkable 
for  the  curious  distribution  of  black  and  white  on  its  back  and  sides. 

A  word  must,  in  conclusion,  be  said  on  the  economic  value  of  the  whales.  Fortunately,  as 
they  are  getting  rarer,  substitutes  for  their  once  invaluable  products  are  being  from  time  to  time 
discovered,  and  much  of  the  regret  at  their  extermination  by  wasteful  slaughter  is  sentimental 
and  not  economic.  For  whalebone  it  is  not  probable  that  a  perfect  substitute  will  ever  be 
found.  It  therefore  maintains  a  high  price,  though  the  former  highest  market  value  of  over 
£2,000  per  ton  has  fallen  to  something  nearer  the  half.  The  sperm-oil  from  the  sperm-whale, 

_  and  the  train-oil  from  that 
of  the  right-whales,  the  sper- 
maceti out  ,of  the  cachalot's 
forehead  and  the  ambergris 
secreted  in  its  stomach,  are 
the  other  valuable  products. 
Ambergris  is  a  greyish,  fatty 
secretion,  caused  by  the  irri- 
tation set  up  in  the  whale's 
inside  by  the  undigested  beaks 
of  cuttle-fish.  Its  market 

photobyA.s.£iuUandd;Sons.  price  is  about  £5  per  ounce. 

HEAVYSIDE'S  DOLPHIN.  A  lump  of  240  Ibs.  sold  for 

A  small,  peculiarly  coloured  species  from  the  Cape.  nearly    £20,000. 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

THE  SLOTHS,  ANT-EATERS,  AND  ARMADILLOS. 

BY   W.    P.    PVCHAFT,    A.L.S..   F.7.8. 

r  1 1HE  very  remarkable- 
I  assemblage  of 
animals  we  are- 
now  about  to  consider 
includes  many  diverse 
forms,  bracketed  together 
to  constitute  one  great 
group ;  and  this  on  account 
of  the  peculiarities  of  the 
structure  and  distribution 
of  the  teeth,  which  are 
never  present  in  the  front 
of  the  jaw,  and  may  be 
absent  altogether.  Of  the 
five  groups  recognised, 
three  occur  in  the  New 
and  two  in  the  Old  World. 
All  have  undergone  very 
considerable  modification  of 
form  and  structure,  and  in 
every  case  this  modification 
has  tended  to  render  them 
more  perfectly  adapted  to 
an  arboreal  or  terrestrial 
existence.  Flying  or 
aquatic  types  are  wanting. 
Whilst  one  great  group — 
the  Sloths  —  is  entirely 
vegetarian,  the  others  feed 
either  on  flesh  or  insects. 

THE  SLOTHS. 
In  the  matter  of 
personal  appearance  Nature 
has  not  been  kind  to  the 
SLOTH,  though  it  is  cer- 
tainly true  that  there  are 
many  uglier  animals — not 
including  those,  such  as 
some  of  the  Monkey  Tribe 
and  certain  of  the  Swine, 
which  are  positively 
hideous.  The  mode  of  life  of  the  sloth  is  certainly  remarkable,  for  almost  its  whole  existence 
is  passed  among  the  highest  trees  of  the  densest  South  American  forests,  and  passed,  too,  in 

336 


'    fhoto  by  A.  S.  HuMand  »£•  io/u. 

NORTHERN   TWO-TOED   SLOTH   (COST A  KICA). 

This  is  also  known  as  Hoffmann's  Sloth.    The  appellation  "  two-toed  "  refers  to  the  fore  limb  only 
The  hind  foot  has  three  toes. 


The    Sloths,    Ant-eaters,    and    Armadillos 


337 


a.  perfectly  topsy-turvy  manner,  inasmuch  as  it  moves  from  bough  to  bough  with  its  legs  up 
in  the  air  and  its  back  towards  the  ground.  It  walks  and  sleeps  suspended  beneath  the 
boughs  instead  of  balanced  above  them,  securely  holding  itself  by  means  of  powerful  hooked 
claws  on  the  fore  and  hind  feet.  This  method  of  locomotion,  so  remarkable  in  a  mammal, 
coupled  with  the  deliberate  fashion  in  which  it  moves,  and  the  air  of  sadness  expressed  in  its 
quaint  physiognomy — large-eyed,  snub-nosed,  and  earless— on  which  there  seems  to  dwell  an 
ever-present  air  of  resignation,  led  the  great  Buffon  to  believe  that  the  sloth  was  a  creature 
afflicted  of  God  for  some  hidden  reason  man  could  not  fathom!  His  sympathy  was  as 
certainly  wasted  as  his  hasty  conclusion  was  unjustified.  There  can  be  no  doubt  but  that  the 
life  led  by  the  sloth  is  at  least  as  blissful  as  that  of  its  more  lively  neighbours — the  spider 
monkeys,  for  instance.  Walking  beneath  the  boughs  comes  as  natural  to  the  sloth  as  walking 
on  the  ceiling  to  the  fly. 

The  sloth  sleeps,  as  we  have  already  remarked,  suspended  from  a  bough.  During  this 
time  the  feet  are  drawn  close  together,  and  the  head  raised  up  and  placed  between  the 
fore  legs,  as  in  the  cobego, 
which  we  depicted  asleep  on 
page  170,  as  our  readers  will 
remember.  In  the  sleeping 
position  the  sloth  bears  a 
striking  resemblance  to  the 
stump  of  a  lichen-covered 
bough,  just  as  the  cobego 
resembles  a  fruit.  Thus  is 
protection  from  enemies 
gained.  The  resemblance  to 
lichen  is  further  aided  by  the 
fact  that  the  long,  coarse  hair 
with  which  the  sloth  is  clothed 
becomes  encrusted  with  a 
peculiar  green  alga — a  lowly 
form  of  vegetable  growth — 
which  lodges  in  certain  grooves 
or  flutings  peculiar  to  the 
hair  of  this  animal.  Such  a 
method  of  protection  is  unique 
amongst  the  Mammalia.  As 
the  sloths  sleep  by  day 
and  feed  by  night,  the  usefulness  of  such  a  method  of  concealment  is  beyond  question. 

The  strange  form  of  locomotion  of  the  sloths  renders  separate  fingers  and  toes  unnecessary, 
and  so  the  fingers  and  toes  have  come  to  be  enclosed  in  a  common  fold  of  skin,  extending 
down  to  the  base  of  the  claws. 

The  sloths  stand  out  in  strong  contrast  to  the  volatile  spider  monkeys,  with  whom  they 
share  the  forest;  these  have  added  a  fifth  limb  in  the  shape  of  a  prehensile  tail,  by  which 
they  may  suspend  themselves  at  will.  The  sloths,  on  the  contrary,  have  no  tail ;  they  move 
deliberately,  and  do  not  require  it.  The  monkeys  move  by  prodigious  leaps,  taken  not  seldom 
by  gathering  impetus  by  swinging  on  their  tails. 

The  great  naturalist  Bates  writes  of  the  sloth :  "  It  is  a  strange  sight  to  watch  this 
uncouth  creature,  fit  production  of  these  silent  shades,  lazily  moving  from  branch  to  branch. 
Every  movement  betrays,  not  indolence  exactly,  but  extreme  caution.  He  never  loses  his  hold 
from  one  branch  without  first  securing  himself  to  the  next.  .  .  .  After  watching  the  animal 
for  about  half  an  hour,  I  gave  him  a  charge  of  shot;  he  fell  with  a  terrific  crash,  but  caught 
a  bough  in  his  descent  with  his  powerful  claws,  and  remained  suspended.  Our  Indian  lad 

43 


Photo  by  L.  Medium'.,  F.Z.S.]  [North  finckley. 

THREE-TOED   SLOTH. 

A  remarkable  peculiarity  about  the  three-toed  sloths  is  the  fact  that  they  have  no  less  than  nine 
vertebrae  in  the  neck,  instead  of  seven,  as  is  usual  among  mammals. 


338 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


tried    to   climb    the   tree,    but  was    driven  back    by    swarms    of   stinging   ants;    the   poor    little 
fellow  slid  down  in  a  sad  predicament,  and  plunged  headlong  into  the  brook  to  free  himself." 

On  another  occasion  the  same  writer  tells  us  he  "saw  a  sloth  swimming  across  a  river  at 
a  place  where  it  was  300  yards  broad.  I  believe  it  is  not  generally  known  that  this  animal 
takes  to  the  water.  Our  men  caught  the  beast,  cooked  and  ate  him." 

In  past  ages  gigantic  ground-sloths  roamed  over  South  America.  The  largest  of  these,  the 
Megatherium,  rivalled  the  elephant  in  size.  Descendants  of  these  giants  appear  to  have  lingered 
on  till  comparatively  recent  times,  as  witness  the  wonderful  discovery  by  Moreno,  made  during 
last  year  (1900)  in  a  cave  in  Patagonia.  This  was  nothing  less  than  a  skull  and  a  large 
piece  of  the  hide  of  one  of  these  monsters  in  a  wonderful  state  of  preservation,  showing 
indeed  undoubted  traces  of  blood  and  sinew.  That  the  hide  was  removed  by  human  hands 
there  can  be  no  doubt,  for  it  was  rolled  up  and  turned  inside-out.  Immediately  after  this 
discovery  was  announced,  an  expedition  was  dispatched  from  England  to  hunt,  not  so  much 
for  more  remains,  but  for  the  animal  itself.  Time  will  show  whether  these  efforts  will  prove 
successful. 

THE  ANT-EATERS. 

Unlike  as  the  ant-eaters  are  to  the  sloths,  they  are  nevertheless  very  closely  related  thereto. 
This  unlikeness  at  the  present  day  is  so  great  that,  were  it  not  for  "  missing-links "  in  the 
shape  of  fossils,  we  should  probably  never  have  discovered  the  relationship.  The  head  of  the 
typical  ant-eaters  has  been  drawn  out  into  a  long  tubular  muzzle,  at  the  end  of  which  is  a  tiny 
mouth  just  big  enough  to  permit  the  exit  of  a  long  worm-like  tongue,  covered  with  a  sticky 
saliva.  This  tongue  is  thrust  out  with  great  rapidity  amongst  the  hosts  of  ants  and  termites 
and  their  larvae,  on  which  they  prey.  These  victims  are  captured  by  breaking  open -their  nests. 
At  once  all  the  active  inhabitants  swarm  up  to  the  breach,  and  are  instantaneously  swept  away 
by  the  remorseless  tongue.  The  jaws  of  the  ant-eaters  are  entirely  toothless,  and  the  eyes  and 
ears  are  very  small. 

The  largest  species  of  ant-eater  is  about  4  feet  long.  It  lives  entirely  upon  the  ground. 
Generally  speaking,  it  is  a  harmless  creature;  but  at  times,  when  cornered,  it  will  fight 

furiously,  sitting  up  on  its 
hind  legs  and  hugging  its 
foe  in  its  powerful  arms. 
Bates,  the  traveller- 
naturalist,  relates  an 
instance  in  which  a  dog 
used  in  hunting  the  GREAT 
ANT-EATER  was  caught  in 
its  grip  and  killed.  The 
tail  of  this  large  species 
is  covered  with  very  long 
hair,  forming  an  immense 
brush.  The  claw  on  the 
third  toe  of  each  fore  limb 
is  of  great  size,  and  used 
for  breaking  open  ants'  and 
other  insects'  nests. 

But  besides  the  great 
ground  ant-eater  there  are 
some  tree-haunting  species. 
These  have  a  shorter  muzzle, 
and  short  hair  on  the  tail, 
which  is  used,  as  with 
the  spider  monkeys,  as  a 


Photo  by  Scholastic  Photo.  Co.  \ 


[Parson's  Green. 


THE   GREAT   ANT-EATEB. 


In  walking  the  ant-eater  turns  its  toes  inwards,  so  that  the  claws  turn  upwards  and  inwards, 
the  weight  of  the  body  being  borne  by  a  horny  pad  on  the  fifth  toe,  and  the  balls  of  the  third  and 
fourth  toes. 


The    Sloths,    Ant-eaters,    and    Armadillos 


339 


Photo  by  A.  S.  Rudlam 


TAMANDUA  ANT-EATER. 

This  species,  which  is  a.  smaller  animal  than  the  Great  Ant-eater,  lives  almost  entirely  in  the  trees,  instead  of  on  the  ground. 

fifth  limb.  Curled  round  the  bough  of  a  tree,  its  owner  is  free  to  swing  himself  out  on  to 
another  branch. 

The  smallest  of  the  tree-dwelling  species  is  not  larger  than  a  rat,  and  is  a  native  of  the 
hottest  parts  of  the  forests  of  South  and  Central  America.  The  muzzle  in  this  species  is  quite 
short,  not  long  and  tubular,  as  in  the  larger  species.  It  is  a  very  rare  animal,  or  is  at  least 
very  seldom  seen,  a  fact  perhaps  due  to  its  small  size.  It  is  known  as  the  TWO-TOED  ANT- 
EATEK,  only  the  second  and  third  ringers  of  the  fore  feet  bearing  claws. 

Von  Sack,  in  his  "  Narrative  of  a  Voyage  to  Surinam,"  tells  us  that  the  natives  of  Surinam 
call  this  little  animal  "  Kissing-hand " — "  as  the  inhabitants  pretend  that  it  will  never  eat, 
at  least  when  caught,  but  that  it  only  licks  its  paws,  in  the  same  manner  as  the  bear;  that 
all  trials  to  make  it  eat  have  proved  in  vain,  and  that  it  soon  dies  in  confinement.  When 
I  got  the  first,  I  sent  to  the  forest  for  a  nest  of  ants ;  and  during  the  interim  I  put  into  its 
cage  some  eggs,  honey,  milk,  and  meat ;  but  it  refused  to  touch  any  of  them.  At  last  the 
ants'  nest  arrived,  but  the  animal  did  not  pay  the  slightest  attention  to  it  either.  By  the 
shape  of  its  fore  paws,  which  resemble  nippers,  I  thought  that  this  little  creature  might 
perhaps  live  on  the  nymphae  of  wasps,  etc.  I  therefore  brought  it  a  wasps'  nest,  and  then 
it  pulled  out  with  its  nippers  the  nymphae  from  the  nest,  and  began  to  eat  them  with  the 
greatest  eagerness,  sitting  in  the  posture  of  a  squirrel.  I  showed  this  phenomenon  to  many 
of  the  inhabitants,  who  all  assured  me  that  it  was  the  first  time  they  had  ever  known  that 
species  of  animal  take  any  nourishment." 

THE  ARMADILLOS. 

Readers  of  this  book  will  doubtless  have  noticed  long  ere  this  how  manifold  are  the  devices 
for  the  purpose  of  defence  adopted  by  the  Mammalia.  The  ARMADILLOS  have  certainly  selected 
the  most  complete,  having  encased  themselves  in  an  impenetrable  bony  armour  as  perfect  as 
the  coat  of  mail  of  the  warrior  of  the  Middle  Ages.  Concerning  this  and  the  variations 
thereon  adopted  by  the  different  members  of  the  group  we  shall  speak  presently. 

Armadillos  are  mostly  confined  to  South  America,  and  occur  both  in  the  open  pampas  and 
the  shady  depths  of  the  forest.  They  live  in  burrows,  which  they  dig  with  incredible  speed. 
These  burrows  are  generally  found  in  the  vicinity  of  the  nests  of  ants  and  termites,  which 
form  their  staple  diet.  One  species,  however,  at  least  feeds  apparently  with  equal  relish  upon 
vegetable  matter,  eggs,  young  birds,  mice,  snakes,  and  carrion. 


34Q 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


The  bony  armour  is  disposed  over  the  crown  of  the  head,  back,  and  flanks.     It  is  made  up 
of  numerous    small,  bony  plates,  buried    deep   in  the    skin,  and  each  overlaid  by  a  horny  scale. 
The  tail  is  protected  by  bony  rings.      The  plates  covering  the  shoulders  and  those  directly  over 
the   hindquarters  fuse   into   a   solid    mass,  thus  forming  chambers  into  which  the  limbs  can  be 
withdrawn.     In  the    region    of  the  body,  between  these  two  shields,  the  plates  are  arranged  in 
rows  encircling  the  body,  thus  permitting  the  animal  to  roll  itself  up  as  occasion  may  require. 
Hairs  grow  out  between  the  plates,  and  in-  some  cases  give  the  animal  quite  a  furry  appearance. 
Speaking  of  the  burrowing  powers  of  the  armadillo,  Darwin,  in  his  most  fascinating  "Voyage 
of  the   Beagle,"  tells  us  that  "the  instant  one  was  perceived,  it  was 
necessary,  in  order  to  catch  it,  almost  to  tumble  off  one's  horse  ;  for 
in  soft  soil  the  animal  burrowed  so  quickly  that  its  hinder  quarters 
would  almost  disappear  before  one  could  alight.     It  seems  almost  a  pity 
to  kill  such  nice  little  animals  ;  for  as  a  Gaucho   said,  while  sharpening 
his   knife  on  the  back  of  one,  'Son  tan  mansos'   (They  are   so   quiet).'r 
As  a  rule,  armadillos  are  regarded  as  animals  loving  dry,   sandy  wastes  ; 
nevertheless,   they   are    said   to  be   able   to  swim  both  well   and    swiftly. 
The  flesh  of  the  armadillo  is  apparently  by  no  means  unpalatable. 

THE  PICHICIAGO. 

One  of  the  most  remarkable  of  the  armadillos  is  the  PICHICIAGO,  or 
FAIRY  ARMADILLO.     It  is  a  tiny  creature  of  some  5  inches  long,  found  in 
the  sandy  wastes  of  the  western   part   of  the  Argentine   Eepublic.     The 
horny  covering  of  the    bony  plates  is  pinkish  colour,   and  the  hair  is 
silky  in   texture  and  snow-white.      But  it  is  not  on  this 
account  that  the  fairy  armadillo  is  remarkable  :   its  claim 
to   notoriety    rests    on   the    peculiar    arrangement   of  the 
bony  plates   constituting  the  armour.      These  bony  plates- 
are  small  and  thin,  and  covered,  as  in  other  species,  with 
a  horny  coat  ;  but  instead  of  being  embedded  in  the 
skin,    they   are   attached  only   along  the   middle    of 
the  back,  and  project  freely  over  the  body  on  either 
side,    leaving   a   space    between  the   shield   and  the 
body.      The    hinder   end    of    the   body    is    specially 
protected  by  a  nearly  circular  vertical  shield,  firmly 
fixed   to   the  hip-girdle.      This   shield,  it  is  said,  is 
used  as  a  plug  to  fill  up  its  burrow  with. 

THE    PELUDO- 

TWO-TOED  ANT-EATER.  Armadillos  of  the  normal  type,  wherein  the  body 

Although  the  fore  feet  have  four  toes,  only  the  second  and  third      armour  is  embedded  in  the  skin,  are  represented  by 

bear  claws  ;  hence  the  name  "Two-toed"  Ant-eater.  •  f\f  i 

numerous  species.      Of  one,  known  as  the   PELUDO,. 

Mr.  Hudson  has  given  us  some  interesting  details.  "  It  feeds,"  he  tells  us,  "  not  only  upon  insects, 
but  also  upon  vegetable  matter,  eggs,  young  birds,  and  carrion.  Its  method  of  capturing  mice 
was  certainly  ingenious.  It  hunted  by  smell,  and  when  nearing  its  prey  became  greatly  agitated. 
The  exact  spot  discovered,  the  body  was  raised  slowly  to  a  sitting  posture,  and  then  flung 
suddenly  forwards,  so  that  the  mouse  or  nest  of  mice  was  imprisoned  beneath,  and  promptly 
dispatched."  "Still  more  remarkable,"  says  Mr.  Lydekker,  "is  the  manner  in  which  a  peludo 
has  been  observed  to  kill  a  snake,  by  rushing  upon  it  and  proceeding  to  saw  the  unfortunate 
reptile  in  pieces-  by  pressing  upon  it  closely  with  the  jagged  edges  of  its  armour,  and  at  the 
same  time  moving  its  body  backwards  and  forwards.  The  struggles  of  the  snake  were  all  in 
vain,  as  its  fangs  could  make  no  impression  upon  the  panoply  of  its  assailant,  and  eventually 
the  reptile  slowly  dropped  and  died,  to  be  soon  afterwards  devoured  by  the  armadillo,  which 
commenced  the  meal  by  seizing  the  snake's  tail  in  its  mouth,  and  gradually  eating  forwards." 


Photo  by  A.  S. 


The    Sloths,    Ant-eaters,    and    Armadillos 


341 


Photo  by  York  tfc  Son]  [Hotting  Sill. 

WEASEL-HEADED  ARMADILLO. 

The  weasel-headed  armadillos  have  from  six  to  eight  movable  bands  in 
the  bony  armour  in  which  they  are  encased. 


- 

Photo  by  L.  Midland,  F.Z.S.]  \_No-,-th  Finchley. 

HAIRY-BUMPED  ARMADILLO. 

This  species,  like  the  Peba  Armadillo,  varies  its  diet  with 
carrion. 


THE  PANGOLINS. 

The  PANGOLINS,  or  SCALY  ANT-EATERS,  are  perhaps  even  more  curious  creatures  than  the 
armadillos.  They  have  been  likened  in  appearance  to  animated  spruce  fir-cones,  to  which  indeed 
they  bear  a  strange  resemblance.  This  resemblance  is  due  to  the  wonderful  armature  of  the 
skin,  which  takes  the  form  of  large  overlapping,  pointed,  horny  plates  or  scales.  The  pangolins 
are  confined  to  the  Old  World,  occurring  in  South  Africa  and  South-eastern  Asia.  Like  the 
American  Ant-eaters,  teeth  are  wanting,  and  the  tongue  is  long  and  worm-like,  being  employed 
in  the  capture  of  insects,  as  in  the  New  World  ant-eaters. 

The  scales  of  the  MANIS  are  formed  by  the  fusion  together  of  fine  hairs.  Like  the  spines 
of  the  hedgehog  and  porcupine,  they  serve  the  purpose  of  offensive  defence ;  for  when  the 
manis  rolls  itself  up,  these  pointed  scales  project  at  right  angles  to  the  body,  and  offer  a 
formidable  resistance  to  any  enemy  whatsoever.  They  also  serve  to  break  the  force  of  a  fall, 
which,  indeed,  is  often  voluntary;  for  should  the  animal  wish  to  descend  from  the  branch  of 
a  tree,  it  will  often  take  a  short  cut  to  the  ground  by  deliberately  dropping,  the  force  of  the 
fall  being  entirely  broken  by  the  elastic  scales. 

In  climbing,  the  tail  is  of  the  greatest  service,  its  under-surface  being  clothed  with 
pointed  scales,  which  serve  as  so  many  climbing-hooks.  The  grasp  of  a  tree-trunk  gained  by 
the  hind  legs  and  tail  is  so  secure  that  the  body  can  be  moved  to  a  horizontal  position  with 
ease.  In  a  specimen  kept  in  captivity  by  Mr.  Fraser,  this  horizontal  movement  was  a  form 
of  exercise  which  appeared  to  afford  the  greatest  pleasure. 


«'j 


Photo  by  L.  Medland,  F.Z.S.]  [North  Finchley. 

PEBA  ARMADILLO. 

This  species  lives  largely  upon  carrion,  which  it  buries  in  its  burrow 
till  wanted. 


Photo  by  York  <fc  Son] 

KAPPLERS'   ARMADILLO. 

This  is  a  variety  of  the  Peba  Armadillo,  inhabiting 
Surinam. 


342  The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 

THE  AARD-VARK. 

The  custom  of  naming  newly  discovered  animals  after  well-known  forms  to  which  they 
are  supposed  to  bear  some  resemblance,  physically  or  otherwise,  is  a  common  one.  The 
animal  now  under  consideration  shows  this  once  more,  having  originally  received  the  name 
of  AARD-VARK  (Earth-pig)  from  the  Boers  of  the  Cape.  The  aard-vark  is  a  most  decidedly 
ugly  animal,  and  justifies  its  name  in  several  particulars.  It  is  hunted  for  the  sake  of  its 
hide,  which  is  of  great  thickness  and  resembles  that  of  the  pig,  but  is  sparsely  covered  with 
hairs,  the  general  shape  of  its  body  being  not  unlike  that  of  a  long-headed,  short-legged, 
heavy-tailed  pig.  The  whole  animal  is  about  6  feet  long.  In  a  wild  state,  or  even  in 
captivity,  it  is  but  rarely  seen,  since  it  is  a  night-feeder,  and  passes  the  day  in  sleep  deep 
down  in  a  burrow.  This  burrow  it  digs  for  itself  with  the  aid  of  powerful  claws  borne 
on  the  fore  feet.  It  lives  principally  on  ants  and  termites,  breaking  down  their  nests,  and 
remorselessly  sweeping  up  the  frightened  occupants  with  a  long,  sticky  tongue,  as  soon  as 
they  rush  to  the  seat  of  the  disturbance  which  has  broken  up  the  harmony  and  order  of 
their  community.  At  one  time  it  was  believed  that  the  aard-vark  was  a  close  ally  of  the 
pangolin,  but  later  researches  have  disproved  this,  and  have  furthermore  thrown  doubt  upon 
the  probability  of  its  relationship  with  any  of  the  members  of  this  group  of  mammals  at  all. 

There  are  two  species  of  this  animal — the  CAPE  AARD-VARK  of  South  and  South-east 
Africa,  and  the  ETHIOPIAN  AARD-VARK  of  North-east  Africa. 

Where  the  nest-building  ants  are  most  common,  there  will  the  aard-vark — or  Innagus, 
as  the  Boers  sometimes  call  it — be  most  plentiful.  The  nests  of  these  ants  are  huge  structures 
of  from  3  to  7  feet  high,  and  often  occupy  vast  areas  of  ground,  extending  as  far  as  the  eye 
can  reach.  They  are  substantially  built,  and  swarm  with  occupants,  and  consequently  are 
quite  worth  raiding.  But  the  aard-vark  has  become  much  less  common  since  a  price  has 
been  set  upon  its  skin.  The  powers  of  digging  of  these  animals  are  so  great  that  they  can 
completely  bury  their  large  bodies  in  a  few  minutes,  even  when  the  ground  has  been  baked 
by  the  sun  into  something  like  adamantine  hardness.  In  excavating  their  burrows,  the 
ground  is  thrown  out  by  the  fore  feet,  in  huge  lumps,  through  or  rather  between  the  hind 
legs.  Shy  and  suspicious,  the  least  unusual  sound  will  send  them  scuttling  to  earth,  for  their 
sense  of  hearing  is  very  keen.  They  seem  to  change  their  minds  somewhat  frequently,  when 
engaged  in  digging  out  a  new  burrow ;  for  half-excavated  burrows  in  the  side  of  ant-hills 
are  very  commonly  met  with.  A  fully  grown  aard-vark  is  about  6  feet  long — generally  rather 
more.  Although  this  animal  is  frequently  kept  in  captivity,  it  is  but  rarely  seen  by  visitors, 
owing  to  its  nocturnal  habits,  of  which  we  have  already  spoken. 

The  teeth  of  the  aard-vark  are  sufficiently  remarkable  to  justify  notice  here.  Only  the 
crushing  teeth  are  represented — that  is  to  say,  the  front  or  cutting  teeth  are  conspicuous  by 
their  absence.  These  crushing  teeth  number  from  eight  to  ten  in  the  upper  and  eight  in 
the  lower  jaw,  on  each  side ;  but  in  the  adult  fewer  would  be  found,  the  number  being 
reduced  to  five  in  each  side  of  the  jaws — that  is  to  say,  there  are  but  twenty  all  told.  In 
structure  these  teeth 
are  quite  remarkable, 
differing  entirely  from 
those  of  all  other 
mammals,  and  re- 
sembling those  of 

some  fishes;    further-  ^^^^^^  |§HR^'  •'*• 

more,   they    have    no 
"  roots,"    but    instead     . 
grow    continually 

i         t  IT          i   •    T  By  permission  of  the.  Hon.  Walter  llothsckild]  [Tring. 

throughout  life,  which 

CAPE   AARD-VAEK. 

*'  rooted        teeth     do 

The  ants  upon  which  the  aard-vark  largely  subsists  appear  to  be  very  fattening,  and  impart  a  delicate  flavour 
not.  to  the  flesh,  especially  to  the  hams,  which  are  greatly  esteen.ed. 


Photo  by  Billingtons  Wueenslarut. 

THE   GREAT    GREY  KANGAROO. 

The  massive  hind  limbs  and  tail  of  the  animal  constitute,  in  its  characteristic  resting  pose,  a  most  efficient  supporting  tripod. 

343 


CHAPTER    XXII. 
MARSUPIALS  AND  MONOTREMES. 

BY    W.   SAVILLE-KENT,   F.L.S.,   F.Z.S. 


MARSUPIALS. 

WITH  the  order  of  the  Pouched  Mammals  we  arrive — with  the  exception  of  the  Echidna 
and  Platypus,  next  described — at  the  most  simply  organised  representatives  of  the 
Mammalian  Class.  In  the  two  forms  above  named,  egg-production,  after  the  manner 
of  birds  and  reptiles,  constitutes  the  only  method  of  propagation.  Although  among  marsupials 
so  rudimentary  a  method  of  reproduction  is  not  met  with,  the  young  are  brought  into  the 
world  in  a  far  more  embryonic  condition  than  occurs  among  any  of  the  mammalian  groups 
previously  enumerated.  There  is,  as  a  matter  of  fact,  an  entire  absence  of  that  vascular  or  blood 
connection  betwixt  the  parent  and  young  previous  to  birth,  known  as  placentation,  common 
to  all  the  higher  mammals,  though  certain  of  the  more  generalised  forms  have  been  recently 
found  to  possess  a  rudiment  of  such  development.  In  correlation  with  their  abnormally 
premature  birth,  it  may  be  observed  that  a  special  provision  commonly  exists  for  the  early 
nurture  of  the  infant  marsupials.  In  such  a  form  as  the  Kangaroo,  for  example,  the  young 
•one  is  placed,  through  the  instrumentality  of  its  parent's  lips,  in  contact  with  the  food-supplying 
teat,  and  to  which  for  some  considerable  period  it  then  becomes  inseparably  attached.  Special 
muscles  exist  in  connection  with  the  parent's  mammary 
glands  for  controlling  the  supply  of  milk  to  the  young 
animal,  while  the  respiratory  organs  of  the  little  creature 
are  temporarily  modified  in  order  to  ensure  unimpeded 
respiration.  The  fact  of  the  young  in  their  early  life  being 
•commonly  found  thus  inseparably  adhering  to  the  parent's 
nipple  has  given  rise  to  the  falacious  but  still  very  widely 
prevalent  idea  among  the  Australian  settlers  that  the 
•embryo  marsupial  is  ushered  into  the  world  as  a  direct 
outgrowth  from  the  mammary  region. 

At   the   present   day,   with    the   exception   of 
the   small   group   of  the  American   Opossums  and 
the  Selvas,  the   entire   assemblage   of  marsupials, 
•comprising    some    36   genera  and    150    species, 
are,  singularly  to  relate,  exclusively 
found  in  Australia,  New  Guinea,  and 
the  few  neighbouring  islands  recog- 
nised   by    systematic   zoologists  as 
pertaining      to     the      Australasian 
region.     What  is  more,  this  region 
of  Australasia  produces,    with  some 
few  insignificant  exceptions,  chiefly 
rodents,    no   other   indigenous 
mammals. 

It    is   interesting  to  note  that 
-within   the   limits   of   this   isolated 


Photo  by  Billington] 


SILVER-GREY  KANGAROO. 


In  general  form  the  kangaroos  are  so  like  one  another  that  one  figure  would  almost  serve 

for  all. 
344 


Marsupials    and    Monotremes 


345 


Photo  by  E.  Landor] 

BLACK-STRIPED   WALLABY. 
Female  with  half -grown  young  in  her  pouch. 


mammals  find  their  counterparts 
in  the  family  group  of  the 
Kangaroos,  in  which,  in  addition 
to  their  essentially  herbivorous 
habits,  the  contour  of  the  head 
and  neck,  together  with  the  ex- 
pressive eyes  and  large  expanding 
ears,  are  wonderfully  suggestive  of 
the  various  members  of  the  Deer 
Family.  The  Cuscuses  of  New 
Guinea  and  the  adjacent  islands, 
both  in  form  and  habits,  some- 
what resemble  their  geographical 
neighbours,  the  Lorises,  belonging 
to  the  Lemur  Tribe,  compared 
with  which  higher  mammals,  how- 
ever, they  possess  the  advantage 
of  an  eminently  serviceable  pre- 
hensile tail  The  Australian 


\Ealing. 


and  anciently  founded  marsupial  order 
we  have  an  epitome,  as  it  were,  of 
many  of  the  more  important  groups 
of  an  equivalent  classificatory  value 
that  are  included  among  the  higher 
mammalia  previously  described.  In  this 
relationship  we  find  in  the  so-called 
Tasmanian  Wolf,  the  Tasmanian  Devil, 
and  the  "  Native  Cats  "  carnivorous 
and  eminently  predatory  forms  whose 
habits  and  general  conformation  are 
immediately  comparable  to  those  of 
the  typical  Carnivora.  The  Bandicoots, 
Banded  Ant-eater,  and  Phascogales 
recall  in  a  similar  manner  the  higher 
Insectivora.  In  the  tree-frequenting 
Opossums  and  Phalangers  the  external 
likeness  and  conformity  in  habits  to 
the  arboreal  rodents  is  notably  apparent, 
several  of  the  species,  moreover,  possess- 
ing a  parachute-like  flying-membrane 
essentially  identical  with  that  which  is 
found  in  the  typical  Flying-squirrels. 
An  example  in  which  the  ground- 
frequenting  or  burrowing  rodents  are 
closely  approached  is  furnished  by  the 
Australian  Wombat,  an  animal  which 
may  be  appropriately  likened  to  an 
overgrown  and  lethargic  Marmot.  In 
this  form,  moreover,  the  rodent-like 
character  of  the  dentition  is  especially 
noteworthy.  The  higher  grass-eating 


Photo  by  J.  T.  Newman]  [Herkhamsted. 

BENNETT'S  WALLABY  AND  THE  GREAT  GREY  KANGAROO. 

This  photograph  illustrates  the  relative  sizes  of  these  two  species. 

44 


346 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


[Melbourne. 


ALBINO   RED   KANGAROOS. 


Albino  kangaroos  and  other  Australian  animals  have  been  observed 
to  be  the  product  of  special,  narrowly  limited  locations. 


Koala,  or  so-called  "  Native  Bear,"  has  been 
commonly  compared  by  zoologists  with  the 
Kdentate  Sloths ;  while  in  the  most  recently 
discovered  marsupial,  the  Pouched  Mole,  we  have 
a  counterpart,  in  both  form  and  habits,  of  the 
familiar  European  species,  finally,  in  the  small 
American  section  of  the  Mursupialia,  we  meet 
with  a  type — the  so-called  Yapock,  or  Water- 
opossum — in  which  the  resemblances  to  an  Otter, 
in  both  aspect  and  its  aquatic  habits,  are  sa 
marked  that  the  animal  was  originally  regarded 
as  a  species  only  of  the  Otter  Tribe. 

The  character  of  the  marsupium,  or  pouch, 
differs  materially  among  the  various  members  of 
their  order.  It  presents  its  most  conspicuous 
and  normal  development  in  such  animals  as 
the  Kangaroos,  Wallabies,  and  the  Australian 
Opossums  or  Phalangers.  In  the  Tasmanian 
Wolf  and  the  Bandicoots  the  pouch  opens  back- 
wards. In  such  forms  as  the  Phascogale,  or 
Pouched  Mouse,  the  pouch  is  reduced  to  a  few 
rudimentary  skin-folds,  while  in  the  Banded  Ant- 
eater  its  position  is  occupied  by  a  mere  patch 
of  longer  hairs,  to  which  the  helpless  young 
ones  cling.  On  the  same  lucus  a  non  lucendo 
principle  there  is  no  trace  of  a  pouch  in  the 
Koala,  nor  in  those  smaller  species  of  the 

American  Opossums  which  habitually  carry  their  young  upon  their  back.  Even  in  these 
pouchless  marsupials,  however,  the  peculiar  marsupial  bones  are  invariably  present,  and  in 
all  other  essential  details  their  accord  with  the  marsupial  type  of  organisation  and  development 
is  fully  maintained. 

THE  KANGAROOS. 

The  typical  and  most  familiar  member  of  the  Marsupial  Order  is  the  KANGAROO — the 
heraldic  mammal  of  that  vast  island-continent  in  the  South  Seas,  whose  phenomenal  advance 
by  leaps  and  bounds,  from  what  scarcely  a  century  since  was  represented  by  but  a  few 
isolated  settlements,  has  been  aptly  likened  to  the  characteristic  progression  of  this  animal. 
Of  kangaroos  proper  there  are  some  twenty-four  known  species  distributed  throughout  the 
length  and  breadth  of  Australia,  extending  southwards  to  Tasmania,  and  to  the  north  as  far 
as  New  Guinea  and  a  few  other  adjacent  islands. 

In  point  of  size  the  GREAT  GREY  KANGAROO  and  the  RED  or  WOOLLY  species  run  each  other 
very  closely.  A  full-grown  male  of  either  species  will  weigh  as  much  as  200  Ibs.,  and  measure 
a  little  over  5  feet  from  the  tip  of  the  nose  to  the  base  of  the  tail,  this  latter  important 
member  monopolising  another  4  or  4£  feet.  The  red  or  woolly  species  more  especially  affects 
the  rocky  districts  of  South  and  East  Australia,  while  the  great  grey  kind  is  essentially  a 
plain-dweller  and  widely  distributed  throughout  the  grassy  plains  V>f  the  entire  Australian 
Continent  and  also  Tasmania.  It  is  to  the  big  males  of  this  species  that  the  titles  of  "  Boomer," 
"Forester,"  and  "Old  Man  Kangaroos"  are  commonly  applied  by  the  settlers,  and  the  species 
with  which  the  popular  and  exciting  sport  of  a  kangaroo  hunt — the  Antipodean  substitute 
for  fox-hunting — is  associated.  The  pace  and  staying  power  of  an  old  man  kangaroo  are 
something  phenomenal.  Our  home  country  fox-hounds  would  have  no  chance  with  it ; 
consequently  a  breed  of  rough-haired  greyhounds,  known  as  kangaroo-dogs,  are  specially  trained 


Marsupials    and    Monotremes 


347 


for  this  sport.  A  run  of  eighteen  miles,  with  a  swim  of  two  in  the  sea  at  the  finish,  and  all 
within  the  space  of  two  brief  crowded  hours,  is  one  of  the  interesting  records  chronicled. 
The  quarry,  when  brought  to  bay,  is,  moreover,  a  by  no  means  despicable  foe.  Erect  on  its 
haunches,  with  its  back  against  a  tree,  the  dogs  approach  it  at  their  peril,  as,  with  a  stroke 
of  its  powerful  spur-armed  hind  foot,  it  will  with  facility  disembowel  or  otherwise  fatally 
maim  its  assailant.  Another  favourite  refuge  of  the  hunted  "  boomer  "  is  a  shallow  water-hole, 
wherein,  wading  waist-deep,  it  calmly  awaits  its  pursuers'  onslaught.  On  the  dogs  swimming 
out  to  the  attack,  it  will  seize  them  with  its  hand-like  fore  paws,  thrust  them  under  water, 
and,  if  their  rescue  is  not  speedily  effected,  literally  drown  them.  Even  man,  without  the 
aid  of  firearms,  is  liable  to  be  worsted  in  an  encounter  under  these  conditions,  as  is  evidenced 
in  the  following  anecdote. 

A  newly  arrived  settler  from  the  old  country,  or  more  precisely  from  the  sister  island, 
ignorant  of  the  strength  and  prowess  of  the  wily  marsupial,  essayed  his  maiden  kangaroo 
hunt  with  only  a  single  dog  as  company.  A  fine  grey  boomer  was  in  due  course  started, 
and  after  an  exciting  chase  was  cornered  in  a  water-hole.  The  dog,  rushing  after  it,  was 
promptly  seized  and  ducked ;  and  Pat,  irate  at  the  threatened  drowning  of  his  companion, 
fired,  but  missed  his  quarry,  and  thereupon  jumped  into  the  water-hole,  with  the  intention, 
as  he  afterwards  avowed,  "  to  bate  the  brains  out  of  the  baste "  with  the  butt-end  of  his  gun. 
The  kangaroo,  however,  very  soon  turned  the  tables  upon  Pat.  Before  he  had  time  to  realise 
the  seriousness  of  the  situation  he  found  himself  lifted  off  his  feet,  and  soused  and  hustled 
with  such  vigour  that .  both  Pat  and  his  dog  most  narrowly  escaped  a  watery  grave.  A  couple 
of  neighbours,  by  good  luck  passing  that  way,  observed  the  turmoil,  and  came  to  the  rescue. 


Photo  by  W.  Reid] 


TASMANIAN  WALLABY. 
Has  softer  and  thicker  fur  than  its  relative  of  the  Australian  mainland. 


[Wishaic,  N.B. 


348 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


Between  them  they  beat  off  and  killed  the  kangaroo,  and  dragged  Pat  to  land  in  a  half- 
drowned  and  almost  insensible  condition.  Pat  recovered,  and  vowed  "niver  to  meddle  with 
such  big  bastes  "  again. 

The  doe  kangaroos,  while  of  smaller  size  and  possessing  much  less  staying  power  than 
their  mates,  can  nevertheless  afford  a  good  run  for  horses  and  dogs,  arid  are  commonly  known 
as  "flyers."  When  carrying  a  youngster,  or  "Joey,"  in  her  pouch,  and  hard  pressed  by  the 
dogs,  it  is  a  common  thing  for  the  parent  to  abstract  her  offspring  from  the  pouch  with  her 
fore  paws,  and  to  throw  it  aside  into  the  bush.  The  instinct  of  self-preservation  only,  by 
the  discharge  of  hampering  impedimenta,  is  usually  ascribed  to  this  act;  but  it  is  an  open 
question  whether  the  maternal  one  of  securing  a  chance  of  escape  for  her  young,  while  feeling 
powerless  to  accomplish  it  for  herself,  does  not  more  often  represent  the  actual  condition  of 
the  case. 

In  proportion  to  the  size  of  its  body  the  kangaroo  yields  but  a  limited  amount  of  meat 
that  is  esteemed  for  food.  The  tail  represents  the  most  highly  appreciated  portion,  since  from 
it  can  be  compounded  a  soup  not  only  equal  to  ordinary  ox-tail,  but  by  gourmands  considered 

so  superior  that  its  conservation  and  export 
have  proved  a  successful  trade  enterprise. 
The  loins  also  are  much  esteemed  for  the 
table,  but  the  hind  limbs  are  hard  and  coarse, 
and  only  appreciated  by  the  native  when 
rations  are  abnormally  short.  "  Steamer, 'r 
composed  of  kangaroo-flesh  mixed  with  slices 
of  ham,  represented  a  standing  and  very 
popular  dish  with  the  earlier  Australian 
settlers ;  but  with  the  rapid  disappearance  of 
the  animal  before  the  advance  of  colonisation 
this  one  time  common  concoction  possesses 
at  the  present  day  a  greater  traditional  than 
actual  reputation. 

The  hunting  of  the  kangaroo  is  con- 
ducted on  several  distinct  lines,  the  method 
of  its  pursuit  being  varied,  according  to 
whether  the  animal  is  required  for  the 
primary  object  of  food,  for  the  commercial 
value  of  its  skin,  as  a  matter  of  pure 

Many    of    the    Marsupials,   including   Kangaroos  and  the   Opossum-like        Sport,    Or    to    accomplish    its    wholesale    destrUC- 

tion  in  consequence  of  its  encroachments  on 
the  pasturage  required  for  sheep-  and  cattle-grazing. 

The  greatest  measure  of  healthy  excitement  in  hunting  the  kangaroo,  from  the  standpoint 
of  pure  sport,  is  no  doubt  to  be  obtained  when  running  the  marsupial  down  with  horse  and 
hounds  in  congenial  company,  as  referred  to  on  a  previous  page.  The  stalking  of  the  animal 
single-handed  on  horseback  or  on  foot,  much  after  the  manner  of  the  deer,  has  also  its 
enthusiastic  votaries,  and  calls  into  play  the  greatest  amount  of  patience  and  savoir-faire  on 
the  part  of  the  sportsman.  It  has  been  affirmed  by  a  Queensland  writer,  "To  kill  kangaroos 
with  a  stalking-horse  requires  the  practice  of  a  lifetime,  and  few  '  new  chums '  have  the 
patience  to  learn  it.  It  is,  in  fact,  only  stockmen,  black-fellows,  and  natives  of  the  bush  who 
can  by  this  method  expect  to  make  kangaroo-shooting  pay."  The  horse  which  is  successfully 
employed  by  experienced  bushmen  for  stalking  purposes  is  specially  trained  to  its  work,  andy 
walking  apparently  unconcernedly  in  the  direction  of  the  selected  quarry,  brings  the  gunners, 
if  they  are  experts  in  the  art  of  keeping  themselves  well  concealed,  within  easy  range.  In 
this  manner  two  or  three  kangaroos  are  not  infrequently  shot  in  the  same  stalk,  the  animals 
having  a  tendency,  on  hearing  the  report  of  the  gun,  but  not  locating  the  direction  from  which 


Photo  by  D.  Le  Souef]  [Melbourne. 

ALBINO   RED-BELLIED   WALLABY. 


349 


350 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


Photo  by  D.  Le  Souef] 


PARRY'S  WALLABY. 

In  attitude  of  listening. 


it  was  discharged,  to  rush  about 
in  an  aimless  manner,  and,  as 
frequently  happens,  in  the  im- 
mediate direction  of  the  hidden 
sportsman.  In  the  good  old  times 
it  is  recorded  that  an  experienced 
hand  might  kill  as  many  as 
seventy  or  eighty  kangaroos  in 
a  day  by  this  stalking  method. 
The  marsupials  are  at  the  present 
date,  however,  so  severely  deci- 
mated that  even  in  the  most 
favourable  settled  districts  a  bag 
of  from  twelve  to  twenty  head 
must  be  regarded  as  exceptional. 
Stalking  the  kangaroo  on  foot 
without  the  horse's  aid  is  more 
strongly  recommended  to  those 
to  whom  an  occasional  shot  is 
considered  sufficiently  remunera- 
tive. Taking  full  advantage  of 
intervening  bushes  and  other 
indigenous  cover,  an  approach  to 

within  a  hundred  yards  or  so  of  the  quarry  may  be  usually  accomplished,  though  not  quite  so 
easily,  perhaps,  as  might  be  at  first  anticipated".  It  is  the  habit  of  the  kangaroo  to  sit  up 
waist-high  in  the  midst  of  the  sun-bleached  grass,  which  corresponds  so  closely  in  colour 
with  its  own  hide  that  unless  the  animal  is  silhouetted  against  the  sky-line  it  readily  escapes 
detection. 

The  conditions  under  which  the  kangaroo  is  obtained  for  the  main  purpose  of  supplying 
the  human  commissariat  is  perhaps  most  aptly  illustrated  in  connection  with  its  chase  as 
prosecuted  by  the  Australian 
aborigines.  In  Tasmania 
and  the  Southern  Australian 
States  the  primeval  man  is 
either  extinct  or  more  rare 
than  the  kangaroo.  In  the 
extreme  north  and  far  north- 
west, however,  he  still  poses 
as  "the  lord  of  creation," 
and  conducts  his  hunting 
expeditions  on  a  lordly  scale. 
The  food-supply  of  the 
Australian  native  is  essenti- 
ally precarious.  Long  inter- 
vals of  "  short  commons " 
are  interspersed  with  brief 
periods  of  over-abundance, 
in  which  he  indulges  his 
appetite  to  its  fullest  bent. 
A  kangaroo  drive  on  native 
lines  represents  to  the  PARRY'S  WALLABY. 

Australian,  mind  One  Of  these  Characteristic  feedi.g  attitude. 


Photo  by  D.  Lc  Soucf] 


[Melbourne. 


Marsupials     and    Monotremes 


351 


last-named  superlatively  memorable  occasions.  The  entire 
tribe,  men,  women,  and  all  capable  youths,  participate  in 
the  sport.  Fires  are  lit  by  one  section  of  the  tribe,  accord- 
ing to  the  direction  of  the  wind,  encircling  a  vast  area  of 
the  country,  while  the  other  section  posts  itself  in  detach- 
ments in  advantageous  positions  to  intercept  the  terrified 
marsupials  as  they  fly  in  the  presumed  direction  of  safety 
to  escape  the  devouring  element.  Spears  and  waddies  and 
boomerangs,  in  the  hands  of  the  expert  natives,  speedily 
accomplish  a  scene  of  carnage,  and  the  after  feast  that 
follows  may  perhaps  be  best  left  to  the  imagination  of 
the  reader.  The  encroachments  of  neighbouring  natives 
on  the  happy  hunting-grounds  that  time  and  custom  have 
conceded  to  be  the  sole  monopoly  of  any  one  particular 
tribe  is  most  strenuously  resented,  and  constitute  one  of 
the  commonest  sources  of  their  well-nigh  perpetual  inter- 
tribal battles. 

A  kangaroo  battue,  as  carried  into  practice  by  European 
settlers  in  those  few  remaining  districts  where  the  animal 
is  sufficiently  abundant  to  constitute  a  pest  by  its  whole- 
sale consumption  of  the  much-prized  pasturage,  is  far  more 
deadly  in  its  results  to  the  unfortunate  marsupials.  Exist- 
ing sheep-fences,  supplemented  by  a  large  suitably  en- 
closed yard,  are  first  specially  prepared  for  the  reception 
of  the  expected  victims.  All  the  settlers,  stockmen, 
and  farm  hands  from  the  country  round  are  pressed  inlo 
service,  and  assemble  on  horseback  or  on  foot  at  the 
appointed  rendezvous  at  break  of  day.  A  widely  spreading 
cordon  of  beaters  being  told  off,  a  systematic  drive  is  then 
commenced,  which  results  in  all  the  animals  being  driven 
towards  and  collected  within  the  enclosed  yard.  The  cul- 
minating scene  is  one  of  wholesale  slaughter  with  club  and 
gun.  From  these  battues  none  of  the  unfortunate  animals 
escape,  as  they  are  so  closely  hemmed  in. 

The  first  record  of  the  existence  of  the  kangaroo,  coupled  with  its  characteristic  name,  is 
found  associated,  it  is  interesting  to  observe,  with  the  history  of  one  of  the  earlier  voyages  of 
Captain  Cook.  The  neighbourhood  of  Cooktown,  in  Queensland,  claims  the  honour  of  supplying 
the  first  example  of  the  animal  which  was  brought  to  Europe  and  astonished  the  zoologists 
of  that  time  by  the  singularity  of  its  form  and  reported  habits.  Captain  Cook  happened — 
in  July,  1770 — to  be  laying  up  his  ship,  the  Endeavour,  for  repairs,  after  narrowly 
escaping  total  wreck  on  the  neighbouring  Great  Barrier  Reef,  in  the  estuary  of  the  river 
subsequently  coupled  with  his  ship's  name.  Foraging  parties,  dispatched  with  the  object  of 
securing,  if  possible,  fresh  meat  or  game  for  the  replenishment  of  the  ship's  well-nigh 
exhausted  larder,  returned  with  reports  of  a  strange  creature,  of  which  they  subsequently 
secured  specimens.  Skins  were  preserved  and  brought  to  England,  but  it  was  some  little  time 
before  the  zoological  position  and  affinities  of  the  creature  were  correctly  allocated.  By  some 
naturalists  it  was  regarded  as  representing  a  huge  species  of  Jerboa,  its  near  relationship  to 
the  previously  known  American  Opossums  being,  however,  eventually  substantiated.  The  closer 
acquaintanceship  with  the  peculiar  fauna  of  Australia  that  followed  upon  Captain  Cook's 
memorable  voyage  of  discovery  along  the  coast-line  of  that  island-continent  soon  familiarised 
naturalists  with  many  other  of  the  allied  species  of  which  the  kangaroo  constitutes  the  leading 
representative. 


I'kolo  by  1).  Le  Souef,  Melbourne. 

FOOT   OP  TREE-KANGAROO. 

Underside,  showing  peculiar  skin-corrugations  and 
the  united  second  and  third  toes. 


352 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


Some  considerable   amount  of  obscurity  is 
associated  with  the  prime  origin  of  the  animal's 
almost   world-wide   title   of  "Kangaroo."     It  is 
most  commonly   accepted    as    representing   the 
native  name  for  the   creature   in  that  Queens- 
land district  from  whence  it  was  first  reported 
by  Captain   Cook.     No  later  investigations  and 
enquiries  have,  however,  in  any  way  established 
the    correctness    of    this    hypothesis,   those   ex- 
plorers who  have  made  a  special   study  of  the 
dialects  and  habits  of  the  aboriginal  inhabitants 
entirely  failing  to  elicit  anything  even  remotely 
coinciding  with  the  name  in  question.     It  has, 
in  fact,   been  reluctantly  concluded   by  one   of 
the    most    experienced    Queensland    authorities 
on     these    matters    that    the   name   originated 
as  a  mere  miscomprehension  of  the  information 
elicited   from    the   natives.      Verbal    communi- 
cation with  the   native   tribes  under  the   most 
favourable   circumstances    is    liable    to    a   vast 
amount  of  misunderstanding,  and  where  other 
than  linguistic  experts  are  present  it  frequently 
happens     that     much      mongrel     or      "pidgin 
English  "  gets  mixed  up  with  the  native  terms. 
Assuming   this    to    have  been  the   case  in  the 
present   instance,   it   has   been    suggested   that 
the    name  of   Kangaroo,  or  "  Kanguroo,"  as  it 
was    originally    spelt,    implied     some    form    of 
negation  of  the  knowledge  which  the  enquiring 
white   man   was   seeking  to   elicit,    or,   maybe, 

partly  even  a  phonetic  and  parrot-like  repetition  of  the  constantly  recurring  query  that  was  doubt- 
less current  among  the  "  handy  men "  of  the  Endeavour's  commission,  such  as  "  Can  you "  tell 
me  this  or  that  concerning  the  many  unfamiliar  objects  that  greeted  the  eyes  of  the  new  arrivals 
in  this  strange  land.  The  writer  retains  a  vivid  recollection  of  a  closely  analogous  manner  in 
which  the  rural  inhabitants  of  Vigo  Bay,  on  the  Spanish  coast,  appropriated  a  common  phrase 
used  by  the  crew  of  the  yacht  with  whom  he  landed  there.  Having  evidently  noted  that  the 
two  words  "  I  say  "  prefaced  the  majority  of  Jack-tar's  speeches,  this  catch-phrase  was  adopted  and 
applied  by  them  as  a  greeting  and  as  a  reply  to  almost  every  interrogation  in  dumb-show  or 
otherwise  that  was  addressed  to  them.  An  unknown  animal  submitted  to  these  rustic  Solons 
would  doubtless  have  been  dubbed  the  "  I  say  "  ;  and  had  the  land  been  a  new  one — say,  some- 
where in  the  South  Seas — that  name  would  probably  have  stuck  to  it.  Applying  this  interpretation 
to  the  kangaroo,  and  bearing  in  mind  the  fondness  of  the  Australian  native  to  duplicate  his 
name-words  or  syllables — e.g.  ivagga-wagga,  debil-debil,  and  so  forth — the  "  Kang-you-you  "  or 
a  closely  resembling  phonetic  expression  would  present  itself  to  the  native  mind  as  a  much 
more  correct  rendering  of  the  simpler  "  Can  you  "  or  "  Kang  you "  which  he  had  picked  up 
as  a  catch-phrase  from  the  Endeavour's  crew.  In  the  absence,  at  all  events,  of  any  more 
rational  interpretation  of  the  mystery,  this  one  would  seem  to  merit  consideration. 

While  the  kangaroo  is  being  speedily  dethroned  from  the  dominant  position  it  originally 
occupied  in  the  indigenous  Australian  fauna,  praiseworthy  and  highly  successful  attempts  have 
been  made  to  acclimatise  this  marsupial  on  British  soil.  At  Tring  Park,  Lord  Kothschild's  estate, 
Woburn  Abbey,  and  elsewhere,  troops  of  these  graceful  creatures  may  be  seen  under  conditions  of 
happiness  and  liberty  scarcely  inferior  to  those  by  which  they  are  environed  in  their  native  "  bush." 


ffioto  by  W.  Savillc-Kcnt,  F.Z.S.]  [Milford-on-Sea. 

BBOWX   TREE- KANGAROO. 
This  species  represents  the  group  in  Xorth  Queensland. 


Marsupials    and    Monotremes 


353 


Of  smaller  members  of  the  Kangaroo  Family, 
there  are  some  thirty  distinct  forms,  popularly 
known  in  Australia  as  WALLABIES,  WALLAROOS, 
PADDY-MELONS,  POTOROOS,  KANGAROO-HARES, 
KANGAROO-RATS,  etc.  The  wallabies,  which  represent 
the  most  important  group  with  regard  to  their 
larger  size  and  economic  utility,  number  some 
fourteen  or  fifteen  species,  and  are  distinguished, 
-with  relation  more  especially  to  their  habitats  or 
peculiar  structure,  as  ROCK-,  BRUSH-TAIL,  and  SPUR- 
TAIL  WALLABIES,  etc.  Among  the  rock-wallabies 
the  yellow-footed  species  from  South  Australia  is 
undoubtedly  one  of  the.  handsomest  as  well  as 
the  largest  member  of  its  group,  the  uniform 
.grey  characteristic  of  the  majority  of  its  members 
being  in  this  instance  represented  by  an  elegantly 
striped  and  banded  form,  in  which  the  several 
tints  of  brown,  yellow,  black,  and  white  are 
pleasingly  interblended.  A  very  fine  example  of 
this  wallaby  was  included  in  the  valuable  collec- 
tion of  animals,  formerly  at  Windsor,  recently 
presented  to  the  Zoological  Society  by  His  Majesty 
King  Edward,  and  is  now  on  view  at  the  Regent's 
Park.  The  successful  stalking  of  rock-wallabies  in 
their  native  fastnesses  entails  no  mean  amount 
of  patience  and  agility.  Although  these  animals 
are  so  abundant  in  favoured  localities  as  to  make 
hard-beaten  tracks  to  and  fro  betwixt  their  rock- 
dwellings  and  their  pasture-grounds,  one  may 
traverse  the  country  in  broad  daylight  without 
•catching  a  glimpse  of  a  single  individual.  One 
species,  about  the  size  of  a  large  rabbit,  is  very 
plentiful  among  the  rocky  bastion-like  hills  that 
border  the  Ord  River,  which  flows  into  Cambridge 
•Gulf,  in  Western  Australia.  Efforts  to  stalk  ex- 
amples in  broad  daylight  proved  fruitless  ;  but  by 
sallying  out  a  little  before  daybreak,  so  as  to 
.arrive  at  their  feeding-grounds  while  the  light 
was  still  dim,  the  writer  succeeded  in  securing 
several  specimens.  Many  of  these  rock-wallabies 
Are  notable  for  the  length,  fine  texture,  and  pleas- 
ing tints  of  their  fur,  their  skins  on  such  account 
being  highly  esteemed  for  the  composition  of 
•carriage-rugs  and  other  furry  articles. 

Of  the  larger  brush  or  scrub  varieties,  the  species  known  as  the  BLACK  WALLABY  is  the 
most  familiar  form.  It  is  particularly  abundant  in  the  Southern  Australian  States,  and  also 
in  Tasmania.  Its  flesh  is  excellent  eating,  and,  dressed  and  served  up  in  the  orthodox  manner 
•of  jugged  hare,  can  scarcely  be  distinguished  from  that  toothsome  dish.  Some  of  the  smaller 
species,  such  as  the  hare-  and  rat-kangaroos  or  potoroos,  are,  as  their  names  denote,  of  no 
larger  dimensions  than  the  familiar  rodents  from  which  they  are  popularly  named.  Several 
of  these  smaller  species,  including  notably  the  potoroo,  or  kangaroo-rat  of  New  South  Wales, 
.are  addicted  to  paying  marked  attention  to  the  settlers'  gardens,  and,  being  to  a  large  extent 

45 


Photo  by  D.  Le  Souef] 


[Melbourne. 


TREE-KANGAROOS. 


Examples  acclimatised  in  the  Melbourne  Zoological 
Gardens. 


354 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


Pkoto'by  York 


[Kotting  Hill. 


GAIMAUD'S  RAT-KANGAEOO. 

A  species  named  after  the  French  naturalist,  Gaimard. 


root-feeders,  have  acquired  a  special 
predilection  for  the  newly  planted  or 
more  fully  matured  potato  crops. 

The  most  abnormal  group  of  the 
Kangaroo  Family  is  undoubtedly  that 
of  the  TREE-KANGAROOS,  formerly  sup- 
posed to  have  been  limited  in  its 
distribution  to  the  island  of  New 
Guinea,  but  which  has  within  recent 
years  been  found  to  be  represented 
by  one  or  more  species  in  Northern 
Queensland.  At  the  Melbourne  Zoo 
they  have  been  found,  except  in  the 
coldest  weather,  to  thrive  well  in  the 
open — a  moderate-sized  tree,  with  a 
small  fenced-in  enclosure  around  itr 
being  admirably  suited  to  their  re- 
quirements, at  the  same  time  providing 
a  most  instructive  exhibition  of  their 
peculiar  forms  and  idiosyncrasies.  Seen  at  its  best,  however,  the  tree-kangaroo,  or  "  boongarry," 
as  it  is  known  amongst  the  Queensland  natives,  is  a  most  clumsy,  melancholy-looking  beast, 
which  has  apparently  found  itself  "  up  a  tree,"  not  as  the  outcome  of  its  personal  predilections, 
but  owing  to  the  force  majeure  of  untoward  pressure  in  the  form  either  of  relentlessly 
persecuting  enemies  or  the  failure  of  its  normal  terrestrial  commissariat.  Compared  with  the 
graceful  and  superlatively  agile  tree-frequenting  phalangers,  between  whom  and  the  ordinary 
kangaroos  it  has  been  sometimes,  but  erroneously,  regarded  as  representing  a  connecting-linkr 
the  boongarry  presents  a  most  ungainly  contrast.  Its  climbing  powers  are  of  the  slowest  and 
most  awkward  description,  the  whole  of  its  energies  being  concentrated  on  its  endeavour  to 

preserve  its  balance  and  to  retain  a  tight  hold  upon  the 
branches  of  the  trees  it  frequents,  and  to  which  it  clings 
with  such  tenacity  with  its  long  sharp  claws  that  it  can 
with  difficulty  be  detached.  In  its  wild  state,  moreover,, 
these  claws  can  be  very  effectively  used  as  weapons  of 
defence ;  and  hence  the  natives,  with  whom  the  animal 
is  highly  esteemed  as  an  article  of  food,  are  careful  to 
give  it  its  quietus  with  their  clubs  or  waddies  before 
venturing  to  handle  it.  The  tree-kangaroos  inhabit  the 
densest  parts  of  the  forests  or  "  scrubs "  of  New  Guinea 
and  tropical  Queensland,  and  appear  to  confine  their  move- 
ments chiefly  to  the  trees  of  moderate  size,  or  the  lower 
branches  only  of  the  taller  ones. 

The  species  which  constitutes  the  most  natural  known 
connecting-link  between  the  typical  Kangaroos  and  the 
family  of  the  Phalangers,  next  described,  is  the  FIVE-TOED- 
EAT-KANGAROO,  or  POTOROO.  As  its  name  implies,  it  is- 
a  small  creature  of  rat>like  aspect  and  dimensions,  and 
possesses,  like  a  rat,  a  long,  cylindrical,  naked,  scaly  tail, 
It  is  the  structure  of  the  feet,  however,  that  constitutes  the 
important  distinction.  In  place  of  the  four  toes  only  to  the 

Photo  by  w.  savuie-Kent,  F.z.s.,  Miiford-on-sea.         hind  limbs  it  possesses  the  full  complement  of  five,  and 
BAT-SANGAKOO  FEOM  NEW  SOUTH  WALES.      the  first  ^°^  moreover,  is  set  farther  back,  and  is  opposable 
one  of  the  small  jerboa-iike  species.  for  grasping  purposes.     This  animal  is  from  Queensland. 


Marsupials    and    Monotremes 


355 


THE  PHALANGERS. 

The  Phalanger  Family  of 
Marsupials,  which  next  invites 
attention,  is  constituted  of 
animals  especially  adapted  to 
lead  an  arboreal  life,  though 
among  themselves  they  ex- 
hibit very  considerable  struc- 
tural variations.  The  species 
usually  placed  at  the  head  of 
this  group  is  the  essentially 
droll  and  in  many  respects 
abnormal  form  known  as  the 
KOALA,  or  AUSTRALIAN  NATIVE 
BEAR.  Its  little  podgy  tailless 
body,  short  thick-set  head, 
and  round  tufted  ears  lend 
some  countenance  perhaps  to 
the  ursine  analogy ;  but  there 
the  likeness  ends. 

The  koala  is  limited  in 
its  distribution  to  the  south- 
eastern region  of  the  Australian 
Continent,  and  is  there  found 
inhabiting  the  loftiest  gum- 
trees,  on  the  leaves  and  flowers 
of  which  it  almost  exclusively 
feeds.  Compared  with  the 
opossum  and  squirrel-like 
phalangers,  the  koala  is  a 
very  slow  and  sedentary  little 
animal,  remaining  stationary 
in  and  browsing  upon  the 
leaves  of  the  same  gum-tree 
for  days  or  even  weeks  at  a  stretch.  Taking  advantage  of  this  home-staying  propensity, 
examples  are  established,  with  full  liberty  to  wander  at  will  among  the  large  gum-trees,  in 
the  Melbourne  Zoological  Gardens,  and  have  never  abused  the  confidence  reposed  in  them  by 
surreptitiously  absconding.  The  young  koalas  in  particular  make  the  most  droll  and  delightful 
of  household  pets,  speedily  becoming  attached  to  and  following  their  owners  about  the  premises, 
or  contentedly  settling  down  to  the  possession  of  an  allotted  corner  of  the  verandah,  in  which 
an  improvised  perch  has  been  erected  and  a  constant  supply  of  its  favourite  gum-leaves  is  daily 
assured.  One  such  example,  kept  in  Brisbane,  Queensland,  furnished  the  writer  with  the  material 
for  the  photograph  on  this  page ;  also  of  another  one  that  illustrated  in  an  interesting  manner 
the  very  singular  attitude  assumed  by  the  animal  when  asleep.  Instead  of  creeping  into  the 
hollow  trunk  or  spout  of  a  gum  or  other  tree,  as  the  opossums  and  other  phalangers  are  wont 
to  do,  the  little  "  bear "  simply  sticks  tight  to  his  supporting  branch,  and,  -tucking  in  his 
head  and  ears  and  limbs,  converts  himself  into  an  apparently  homogeneous  rounded  mass  of 
fur  or  moss,  and,  thus  disguised,  peacefully  sleeps.  Seen  at  some  little  distance,  in  fact, 
none  but  a  trained  eye  could  distinguish  this  sleeping  bear  from  one  of  the  round  woody 
excrescences  or  bunches  of  misletoe-like  parasitic  growths  that  are  of  common  occurrence  on 
the  trees  in  every  gum  forest.  In  this  way  the  little  creature  secures  immunity  from  the 


[Milford-on-Sea. 
KOALA,   OR  AUSTRALIAN  NATIVE  BEAR  AND   CUB. 

An  excellent  illustration   of  the  way  in  which   the  female  koalas  carry  their  young  securely 
perched  on  their  backs. 


356 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


attacks  of  enemies  by  mimicking  the  character- 
istic peculiarities  of  its  environment,  as  obtains- 
so  generally  among  insects  and  other  of  the 
lower  orders  of  animated  nature.  A  closely 
analogous  sleeping  attitude,  it  may  be  mentioned., 
is  assumed  by  one  of  the  African  lemurs  or 
pottos,  which  have  been  dealt  with  in  a  previous- 
chapter. 

Although  in  captivity  the  koala  takes- 
kindly  to  a  mixed  diet  in  which  bread-and-milk 
and  fruit  may  form  substantial  elements,  it 
can  rarely  be  induced  to  altogether  dispense 
with  its  customary  gum-leaf  regimen,  and  it 
is  this  circumstance  that  mainly  accounts  for 
its  rarity  in  European  menageries.  Time  and 
again,  however,  this  interesting  animal  has  put 
in  an  appearance  at  the  Eegent's  Park ;  but 
in  spite  of  Kew  Gardens  arid  other  sources- 
being  laid  under  contribution  for  a  supply  of 
gum-tree  leaves,  its  sojourn  there  has  been  but 
brief.  As  a  matter  of  fact,  the  common  or 
blue  gum-tree,  which  is  alone  cultivated  and 
available  in  any  quantity  in  this  country,  and 
which  is  indigenous  to  Tasmania,  is  not  the 
species  on  which  the  koala  is  accustomed  to 
feed.  Of  gum-trees  there  are  some  hundred 
species,  every  one  differing  in  the  peculiarity 
of  its  aromatic  s<3ent  and  flavour,  and  having 
its  special  clientele  among  the  ranks  of  leaf- 
browsing  animals.  So  far  as  the  writer's  obser- 
vations extended,  it  was  the  big  Queensland 

"  white  "  and  "  swamp  "  gurns  that  were  especially  patronised  by  the  Australian  bears,  and  these 
are  not  grown  in  England. 

Although  at  first  sight,  and  normally  so  far  as  the  younger  individuals  are  concerned,  the 
koala  would  appear  to  represent  the  most  perfect  embodiment  of  peace  and  goodwill  among 
mammals,  he  is  accredited  at  a  maturer  age,  when  crossed  in  love  or  goaded  to  resentment 
by  some  other  cause,  to  give  way  to  fits  of  ungovernable  rage.  These  temporary  lapses  are,, 
however,  very  transient,  and  our  little  friend  soon  recovers  his  customary  bland  placidity. 
While  it  is  being  threshed  out,  nevertheless,  the  "  burden  of  song "  delivered  by  rival  claimants 
for  a  partner's  favours  is  a  remarkable  phenomenon.  The  circumstance  that  the  vocal  duet 
is  commonly  executed  high  up  among  the  branches  of  the  loftiest  gums  no  doubt  adds  very 
considerably  to  both  the  timbre  of  the  "  music "  and  the  distance  to  which  it  is  carried. 
The  old-time  phrase  of  "making  the  welkin  ring"  would  undoubtedly  have  been  applied  with 
alacrity  and  singular  appropriateness  by  the  poets  of  the  departed  century  to  the  love-song  of 
the  koala,  had  they  been  privileged  to  hear  it. 

Among  the  examples  of  the  koala  which  have  been  in  residence  at  the  Zoo,  one  of 
them  came  to  a  pathetic  end.  As  told  to  the  writer  by  Mr.  A.  D.  Bartlett,  the  late 
superintendent,  it  appears  that  the  little  animal,  on  exhibition  in  the  gardens  during  the 
day,  was  brought  into  the  house  at  night,  and  allowed  the  run  of  a  room  which,  among  other 
furniture,  included  a  large  swing  looking-glass.  One  morning  the  little  creature  was  found 
crushed  to  death  beneath  the  mirror,  upon  which  it  had  apparently  climbed  and  over-balanced. 
The  information  that  the  animal  was  a  female  evoked  the  suspicion  that  personal  vanity  and 


Photo  by  W.  Saville-Kent,  F.Z.S.]  [Milford-on-Sea. 

KOALA,   OB  AUSTRALIAN   NATIVE   BEAR. 

The  koala  has  no  tail,  and  is  a  stout,  clumsily  built  animal,  about 
32  inches  in  length,  with  thick  woolly  fur  of  a  greyish  colour. 


Photo  by  W.  SavilU-Kent,  F.Z.S.] 

KOALA,  OR  AUSTRALIAN  NATIVE  BEAR. 

These  animals  make  a  peculiarly  plaintive  cry  when  molested  in  any  way  by  human  beings. 

357 


[Miljurd-on-Sea. 


358 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


the  admiration  of  its  own  image  in  the  glass  had  some  share  in  compassing  its  untimely  end. 
Possibly,  however,  it  hailed  in  the  reflection  the  welcome  advent  of  a  companion  to  share  its 
lone  banishment  from  the  land  of  the  gum-tree,  and  in  its  efforts  to  greet  it  thus  came 
to  grief. 

The  female  koala  produces  but  one  cub  at  a  time.  At  an  early  period  after  its  birth 
this  is  transferred  to  its  mother's  back,  and  is  thus  transported  until  its  dimensions  are 
about  one-half  of  those  of  its  parent.  The  pair  as  shown  in  the  illustration  on  page  355 
presents,  under  these  conditions,  an  essentially  grotesque  aspect. 

It  is  a  noteworthy  circumstance  that,  compared  with  the  male,  the  female  koala  is  but 
rarely  to  be  observed  wandering  abroad  during  broad  daylight.  As  with  the  typical  phalangers, 
food  is  consumed  chiefly  at  night  or  during  the  brief  Australian  twilight  hours.  While  the 
male  at  certain  periods,  more  especially  the  months  of  March  and  April,  is  much  in  evidence 
in  daytime  to  both  the  senses  of  sight  and  hearing,  as  attested  to  on  a  previous  page,  the 
female  spends  the  whole  or  greater  portion  of  the  day  clinging  as  an  inert  sleeping  mass  to  a 
-convenient  branch.  "  Bear  "-shooting  in  Australia,  as  might  be  anticipated  from  the  description 
here  given  of  the  animal's  habits  and  temperament,  affords  but  sorry  sport.  It  may  further 
be  remarked  that  those  who  have  shot  at  and  only  disabled  one  of  these  inoffensive  little 
creatures  are  scarcely  likely  to  repeat  the  experiment.  The  cry  of  a  wounded  koala  has  been 
aptly  compared  to  that  of  a  distressed  child,  but  still  more  pathetic.  When  fatally  shot,  it 
also  more  frequently  than  otherwise  clings  tenaciously  back-downwards,  like  the  South  American 
sloths,  to  the  supporting .  tree-branch,  and  is  thus  frequently  irrecoverable.  With  the  non- 
sentimental  Australian  furrier  the  koala's  pelt  of  soft,  crisp,  ashy-grey  fur  is  unfortunately  in 
considerable  demand,  being  made  up  mostly,  with  the  quaint  round  head  and  tufted  ears 
intact,  into,  it  must  be  confessed,  singularly  attractive  and  warm  rugs. 

The  correspondence  of  the  koala  in  form  and  habits  to  the  sloths  among  the  higher 
mammalia  has  been  previously  mentioned.  The  parrallelism  might  be  pursued  in  yet  another 
direction.  In  earlier  times  the  small  tree-inhabiting  South  American  sloths  were  supplemented 

by  ground -frequenting  species,  such  as  the 
Megatherium,  which  were  of  comparatively  titanic 
proportions.  The  epoch  of  the  accredited  exist- 
ence of  these  huge  ground- sloths  was  so  com- 
paratively recent — the  later  tertiaries— that  it  is 
even  yet  not  regarded  as  altogether  improbable 
that  some  existing  representative  of  the  race 
may  yet  be  discovered  in  the  fastnesses  of  the 
South  American  forests,  and  thus  claim  a  niche 
in  the  pages  of  a  subsequent  edition  of 
"LIVING  ANIMALS."  In  a  like  manner  the  little 
sloth-like  tree-frequenting  "  Australian  Bear " 
had  his  primeval  ground-dwelling  colossi,  and 
there  is  yet  a  lurking  hope  among  enthusiastic 
zoologists  that  some  surviving  scion  of  the  little 
koala's  doughty  forebears  may  yet  turn  up  in 
the  practically  unexplored  Central  Australian 
wildernesses.  Some  such  anticipations,  as  a 
matter  of  fact,  stimulated  the  hopes  and  aspira- 
tions of  the  participators  in  one  of  the  latest 
of  these  exploring  expeditions,  which,  while  not 
successful  in  this  instance  in  obtaining  so  great 

Photo  by  w.saviiie.Kent,F.z.s.]  [Miford-on-sea.  a  prize,  secured  for  science  that  most  interesting 

SQUIRREL-LIKE  FLYiNG-pnALANGER  OP  VICTORIA.        and  previously  unknown    marsupial    mammal   the 

This  animal  has  soft  grey  fur  like  that  of  the  chinchilla.  Pouched    Mole. 


Marsupials   and    Monotremes 


359 


THE  TYPICAL  PHALANGERS. 

The  typical  PHALANGERS,  or  OPOSSUMS, 
as  they  are  familiarly  known  throughout 
Australia,  include  a  very  considerable  number 
of  representatives,  ranging  in  size  from  that 
of  a  small  mouse  to  that  of  a  full-grown 
cat.  All  are  essentially  arboreal  in  their 
habits,  feeding  principally  on  the  leaves  and 
flowers  of  the  various  gums.  They  are  for 
the  most  part  strictly  nocturnal  in  their 
habits,  and  make  their  homes  and  retiring- 
places  during  the  day  in  the  hollow  trunks 
and  limbs  that  are  of  such  abundant  occur- 
rence in  the  periodically  fire-swept  Australian 
forests.  Almost  all  the  larger  species  are 
notable  for  the  length,  thickness,  and  ex- 
quisitely fine  texture  of  their  fur,  a  circum- 
stance for  which  they  are  consequently  laid 
under  heavy  penalties  for  the  sake  of  their 
pelts.  The  island  colony  of  Tasmania,  in  the 
extreme  south,  with  its  colder  climate,  as 
might  be  anticipated,  produces  the  finest 
qualities  of  these  furs,  that  of  the  BLACK  or 
SOOTY  OPOSSUM,  which  is  peculiar  to  the  island, 
being  most  highly  prized.  The  length  and 
furry  character  of  their  in  many  instances 
prehensile  tails  also  form  a  conspicuous  feature 
of  this  group.  Nature,  in  fact,  apparently 
distributed  caudal  material  so  over-liberally 
among  these  marsupials  that  the  little  koala 
had  to  make  shift  without. 

The     group    of    the    Phalanger     Family 

popularly  known  as  FLYING-SQUIRRELS,  or  more  correctly  as  FLYING-PHALANGERS,  is  almost 
universally  admitted  to  include  some  of  the  most  beautiful  of  living  mammals.  In  external 
structure,  so  far  as  their  peculiar  so-called  "  flying "  mechanism  is  concerned,  these  animals 
coincide  in  a  remarkable  manner  with  the  true  flying-squirrels,  belonging  to  the  Eodent  Order, 
indigenous  to  the  Asiatic  and  American  Continents.  In  neither  instance  is  there  flight,  in 
the  true  sense  of  the  term,  similar  to  that  of  birds  and  bats,  but  the  fore  and  hind  limbs  are 
connected  by  a  parachute-like  membrane,  which,  outstretched  when  the  animal  leaps  from  tree 
to  tree,  buoys  it  up  and  enables  its  owner  to  traverse,  in  a  straight  and  gradually  descending 
line  only,  very  considerable  distances. 

The  smaller  squirrel-like  form  common  to  the  south-eastern  districts  of  Australia,  and 
on  account  of  its  predilection  for  sweets  commonly  known  as  the  SUGAR-SQUIRREL,  makes  a 
most  charming  little  pet.  For  the  most  part  addicted  to  sleep,  and  impatient  at  being  disturbed 
during  the  day,  towards  sundown  it  wakes  up,  and  is  full  of  frolic.  One  such  example  was 
the  writer's  travelling  companion  for  a  considerable  interval  in  Western  Australia.  While 
remaining  packed  conveniently  away  in  a  small  box  throughout  the  day,  it  was  accustomed 
to  enjoy  the  liberty  of  whatever  apartment  its  owner  occupied  in  the  evening  and  throughout 
the  night,  returning  of  its  own  accord  to  its  sleeping-box  with  the  approach  of  dawn.  On 
one  exceptional  occasion,  however,  Master  Tiny,  as  this  individual  was  named,  was  missing  in 
the  morning  from  his  accustomed  crib,  and  a  prolonged  search  and  examination  of  every 


Photo  ly  W.  Saville-Kent,  F.Z.S.]  [Milford-on-Sea. 

LARGER  FLYING-PHALANGER, 

A  nearly  pure  white  example. 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 

corner  and  article  of  furniture  that  could  afford  shelter  failed  to  recover  him.  That  the 
little  creature  was  lost  through  some  one  having  unwittingly  left  the  door  of  the  apartment 
open,  permitting  its  escape,  was  the  only  and  much-deplored  conclusion  that  could  be  arrived 
at.  Towards  evening,  however,  there  was  a  slight  rustle  close  at  hand,  and  Master  Tiny 
was  discovered  emerging,  like  Minerva  from  the  head  of  Jupiter,  from  the  top  of  one 
of  the  old-fashioned  china  dogs  that  decorated  the  hotel- room  mantelpiece.  The  ornament, 
seemingly  intact  from  the  front,  had  the  back  of  the  head  battered  in.  Through  the  resulting 
crevice  the  little  animal  had  managed  to  squeeze  itself,  having  come  to  the  conclusion,  doubtless, 
that  this  newly  chosen  retreat  more  nearly  resembled  the  cavernous  shelter  of  its  native 
tree-spout  than  its  accustomed  artificially  constructed  box.  This  singular  domicile  Master 
Tiny  was  permitted  to  monopolise  for  the  remainder  of  his  sojourn  at  that  hostelry.  One  of 
the  favourite  diversions  of  this  little  phalanger  during  the  evenings  was  to  climb  up  the 
curtain  and  cornice  of  the  room  he  occupied,  and  thence  hurl  himself  through  the  air  with 
outspread  parachute  to  the  writer  at  the  opposite  end.  The  apartment,  happening  to  be  the 
commercial  room  of  the  hotel,  some  thirty  feet  in  length,  gave  him  good  scope  for  exercising 
his  characteristic  flying  leaps.  The  attitude  invariably  maintained  during  these  flights  is 
aptly  illustrated  in  the  accompanying  photograph ;  the  body  is  never  poised  with  the  head 
inclined  downwards,  as  is  commonly  depicted  in  artists'  fancy  sketches  of  the  animal  contained 
in  popular  natural  histories.  A  friend  of  the  writer's  in  Tasmania,  who  kept  one  of  these 
flying-phalangers  as  a  household  pet,  was  accustomed  to  leave  a  crevice  of  the  window  open  at 
night,  so  that  the  little  fellow  could  go  in  and  out  as  it  liked.  After  the  manner  of  most 
pets,  however,  a  day  arrived  upon  which  its  box  was  found  vacant,  a  marauding  cat  or  other 
disaster  having  apparently  compassed  its  untimely  end. 


by  W.  Sacillc-Kcnt,  F.Z.S.} 


LESSEE   FLYING-PHALANGER. 

Illustrating  position  maintained  during  its  remarkable  flying  leaps. 


[Milj'ord-on-Sea. 


Marsupials    and    Monotremes 


361 


The  larger  flying- 
phalanger,  the  dimensions 
of  our  domestic  tabby,  and 
with  fur  as  long  and  as  soft 
as  the  Persian  variety,  is 
less  frequently  domesticated. 
It  has,  in  fact,  an  evil  reputa- 
tion for  scratching,  biting, 
and  general  untamableness. 
One  that  was  kept  for  some 
little  time  by  the  late  Dr. 
Bennett,  of  Sydney,  and 
brought  to  England,  never 
entirely  lost  its  innate 
savagery.  On  the  voyage 
from  Australia  it  became 
sufficiently  tame  as  to  be 
allowed  occasionally  to  run 
about  on  the  deck,  and  was 
so  far  amiable  as  to  lay  on 
its  back  and  permit  itself  to 
be  tickled.  On  attempting 
to  handle  it,  however,  "  it 
displayed  its  usual  savage 
disposition,  digging  its  sharp 
claws  and  teeth  into  the 
hands  of  its  captor."  The 
writer  was  fortunate  in  being 
the  recipient  in  Queens- 
land of  a  couple  of  these 
large  phalangers  which  were 
exceptions  to  the  usual  rule. 
These  specimens — a  mother 
and  its  young  male  offspring 
—also  varied  in  colour  from 
normal  examples,  which 
are  usually  dark  slate  or 
blackish  brown  above  and 
whitish  underneath.  The 
mother  in  this  instance  was 

a  beautiful  cream-white  throughout;  and  her  young  one,  while  dark  chinchilla-grey  upon 
the  back,  limbs,  and  tail,  had  white  ears  and  breast.  Both  were  very  friendly,  and  would  of 
their  own  accord  climb  over  their  owner's  person,  seeking  in  his  pockets  for  hidden  lumps 
of  sugar  and  other  acceptable  dainties.  As  with  the  smaller  sqairrel-like  forms,  they  slept 
throughout  the  greater  portion  of  the  day,  waking  to  activity  and  making  excursions  in  search 
of  their  food  as  soon  as  the  sun  went  down.  The  tail  of  this  species  of  phalanger  is  abnormally 
long  and  furry,  but  not  prehensile.  It  was  observed  of  them  that  when  feeding  leisurely  on 
the  gum-tree  leaves  this  appendage  was  permitted  to  hang  or  rest  loosely,  but  that  when  walking 
along  the  branches  they  would  very  frequently  coil  this  member  into  a  tight  spiral  coil,  like 
a  watch-spring  or  the  proboscis  of  a  butterfly,  against  their  hindquarters.  This  phenomenon  is 
apparently  unique  among  mammals.  Although  generally  seeking  the  darker  retreat  of  their  box 
for  their  long  daylight  sleep,  the  female,  more  particularly,  would  frequently  simply  curl  herself 

46 


•Hit-Kent,  F.Z.S.] 

PYGMY   FLYING-PHALANGER. 


[Mllfonl-on-Sea. 


A  life-size  photograph.     The  hairs  of  the  tail  in  this  animal  are  arranged  in  two  parallel  lines,  like 
the  vanes  of  a  bird's  feather. 


362 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


up  into  a  furry  white  ball  in  one  corner  of 
the  cage,  the  head,  limbs,  or  other  features 
being  at  such  times  altogether  indistinguish- 
able. The  aid  of  the  magnesium  flash-light 
was  successfully  called  into  service  to  secure 
the  photographic  likeness  of  this  animal,  here 
reproduced,  which  was  taken  while  it  was 
enjoying  its  evening  meal. 

As  previously  mentioned,  some  representa- 
tives of  the  flying-phalanger  group  are  no 
larger  than  mice,  and  are  furnished  in  a  similar 
manner  with  a  parachute-like  membrane  that 
enables  them  to  take  abnormally  long  flying 
leaps,  or  as  it  were  to  sail  horizontally  through 
the  air.  The  PYGMY  FLYING-PHALANGER,  whose 
length  of  body  does  not  exceed  2J  inches,  is  one 
of  the  most  interesting.  The  tail  in  this  form 
is  also  adapted  for  aerial  flotation,  the  long  hairs 
that  grow  upon  this  appendage  being  arranged  in 
two  parallel  lines  like  the  vanes  of  a  feather.  Its 
distribution  is  limited  to  the  south  and  eastern 
districts'  of  the  Australian  Continent.  There 
are  also  a  number  of  mouse-  and  squirrel-like 
phalangers  destitute  of  the  flying-membrane, 
which  in  this  respect  very  closely  resemble  in 
external  aspect  more  typical  members  of  the 
Eodent  Order.  One  form  in  particular,  the 
STRIPED  PHALANGER  of  New  Guinea,  decorated 
with  broad  longitudinal  black  and  white  stripes,  is  singularly  suggestive  of  some  of  the  variously 
striped  American  squirrels.  This  interesting  island  of  New  Guinea  also  produces  a  little  PYGMY 
PHALANGER  with  a  feather-like  tail  which,  except  for  the  absence  of  a  parachute  or  flying- 
membrane,  is  the  very  counterpart  of  the  Australian  kind.  Another  species,  which  in  shape, 
size,  and  more  especially  with  reference  to  its  long,  pointed  snout,  closely  resembles  a  shrew- 
mouse,  is  found  in  Western  Australia.  The  tail  of  this  species,  known  as  the  LONG-SNOUTED 
PHALANGER,  is  highly  prehensile ;  and  it  is  also  provided  with  a  long,  slender,  protrusile  tongue, 
with  which  it  abstracts  the  honey  from  Banksias  and  other  flowers,  upon  which  it  customarily  feeds. 
The  two  large  phalangers  known  as  the  BLACK  and  GREY  or  VULPINE  OPOSSUMS,  which  are 
chiefly  laid  under  contribution  for  the  Australian  fur  supplies,  are  provided  with  prehensile 
tails,  the  under  side  of  the  extremity  of  which  grasps  the  supporting  fulcrum  and  is  devoid 
of  hair.  The  adaptation  of  the  tail  for  use  as  a  fifth  hand — as  in  the  New  World  monkeys — 
is,  however,  much  more  conspicuously  manifested  in  what  are  known  to  the  colonists  as  the 
RING-TAILED  OPOSSUMS,  and  to  zoologists  as  CRESCENT-TOOTHED  PHALANGERS.  In  these  the 
tail  tapers  to  a  fine  point,  and  the  hair  throughout  the  terminal  third  of  this  appendage 
is  so  fine  and  short  that  it  at  first  sight  presents  the  appearance  of  being  entirely  naked. 
This  terminal  third  of  the  tail,  moreover,  in  the  greater  number  of  species,  contrasts  with  the 
remaining  portion  by  being  white  in  hue.  It  occasionally  happens,  however,  that  individuals 
occur  which  are  entirely  white.  One  such  which  came  into  the  writer's  possession  was 
obtained  from  the  Bruni  Islands,  in  the  Derwent  Estuary,  Tasmania,  and  afterwards  became 
a  great  pet  with  the  young  people  at  Government  House,  Hobart.  It  is  an  interesting 
circumstance  that  the  Bruni  Islands  were  noted  for  the  production  of  albino  animals  of 
various  descriptions,  white  kangaroos  and  white  emus  having  also  been  obtained  from  this 
locality.  Probably  some  peculiarity  of  the  soil,  and  its  action  on  the  vegetable  food  the  animals 


Photo  by  W.  Saville-Kent,  F.Z.S.]  [Milford-on-Sea. 

COMMON   GREY  OPOSSUM,   OR  PHALANGEK. 
The  fur  of  this  species  is  in  great  demand  for  the  manufacture  of 
carriage-rugs. 


Photo  by  Henry  King] 


AUSTRALIAN   GREY  OPOSSUM,    OR  PHALANGER. 

On  account  of  its  "foxy"  appearance,  this  species  is  also  known  as  the  Vulpine  Phalanger. 

363 


[Sydney. 


364 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


BBBBBBBBBBB 


Photo  by  1C.  Hiu-Mi.Kcnt,  F.Z.S.]  '  [Milford-on-Sca. 

FRONT   VIEW   OF   GUEY  OPOSSUM,    Oil   PHALANGER. 

Displays  the  bare  under-surface  of  the  prehensile  tail. 


consumed,  played  an  impor- 
tant part  in  the  unusually 
frequent  occurrence  of  this 
phenomenon. 

The  ring-tailed  opossums 
differ  essentially  from  the 
common  opossum  or  phalanger 
and  its  allies  in  their  life 
habits.  While  these  latter 
habitually  take  up  their  abode 
and  bring  forth  their  young 
in  hollow  trees,  the  ring- 
tailed  species  construct  a 
regular  nest  of  interlaced 
sticks,  leaves,  grass,  or  any 
other  available  material  for 
their  domicile.  The  structure 
much  resembles  the  nest,  or 
"  drey,"  of  our  own  familiar 
European  squirrel,  and  may 
be  perched  high  up  among 
the  tree  branches  or  within 
only  a  few  feet  from  the 

ground  among  the  scrub  thickets.     In    New   Guinea   a   variety    of  these  ring-tailed   phalangers 

occurs,  not  found  in  Australia,  which  has  no  white  tip  to  its  tail,  and  the  ears  are  very  short 

and  wide.     The  group  as  represented   by  this  species  leads  to  the  consideration  of  the  so-called 

CUSCUSES  or  typical  phalangers  indigenous  to  New  Guinea  and   North    Queensland,  though  but 

rarely  seen   there,  which,   as  an  exception   to   the  Marsupial  Tribe,  are    distributed  among  the 

Indo-Malay  Islands   as   far  westward  as  Celebes.     In  the  cuscuses  the  tail    is   altogether  naked, 

and     pre-eminently     prehensile     throughout 

almost  its  entire  terminal  moiety;    the  ears 

are  round   and,    proportionately,   exceedingly 

small;     while   the    fur    is    very  short,  thick, 

and  woolly.     Compared    with    the    opossums 

or    phalangers,    the    cuscuses    are    very    dull 

and   sluggish   in  their   movements,    creeping 

slowly   among   the    branches   of  the  trees  to 

browse    on     the     fruit     and     leaves     which 

constitute    their    principal    diet.       Like    the 

opossums,    however,    or    even    to    a    greater 

extent,    they  vary    this    vegetarian    regimen 

with  insects  or  an  occasionally  captured  bird. 

THE  CUSCUSES. 

The  familiar  SPOTTED  Cuscus  of  New 
Guinea  is  the  most  ornate  marsupial 
mammal.  The  males,  more  especially,  are 
as  variegated  in  colour  as  a  tortoiseshell  cat. 
their  tints,  moreover,  closely  corresponding 

in    hue    With    those    Of    the     feline.         No     tWO  Pl,otolyW.Samlle-Kcnt,F.Z.S.}  [Miljm-d-on-Sea. 

individuals,   however,    are    precisely    alike    in  PROFILE  VIEW  OF  GREY  OPOSSUM,  OR  PHALAXGER. 

.1   •  TT         11      4. v,  j         i  r  ii  The  opossums  are  usually  shot  by  moonlight,  as  seen  silhouetted  against 

this  respect.    Usually  the  ground-colour  of  the  the  sky. 


Marsupials    and    Monotremes 


365 


back  is  a  dirty  or  creamy 
white,  interspersed  with 
various-shaped  blotches  of 
nut-brown  or  black  ;  the  chin, 
breast,  and  under-parts  are  a 
purer  white,  and  the  limbs 
grey  or  reddish  brown,  or, 
as  shown  in  the  photograph 
over-leaf,  mottled  like  the 
body.  The  BLACK  Cuscus 
of  Celebes  is,  as  its  name 
denotes,  a  much  more  sombre- 
looking  animal,  and  is  also  the 
largest  species,  its  dimensions 
equalling  or  exceeding  those 
of  a  large  cat.  The  uniformly 
tinted  GREY  Cuscus  of  Timor, 
Amboina,  and  other  of  the 
Indo-Malay  Islands  is  very 
similar  in  size  and  aspect, 
excepting  for  the  half-naked 
tail,  to  the  common  ring- 
tailed  phalanger.  All  the 
cuscuses  are  of  rare 
occurrence  in  even  their  most 
favoured  habitats.  On  one 
occasion  the  writer  came 
across  an  example  of  the 
grey  species  in  the  scrub 
forest  of  Thursday  Island, 
Torres  Straits.  In  this 
instance,  however,  it  is 
doubtful  if  the  animal  was 
not  an  escaped  pet  brought 
over  from  the  neighbouring 
coast  of  New  Guinea. 

Much  interesting  in- 
formation concerning 
different  varieties  of  the 
cuscus  is  contained  in  Dr. 
Alfred  Wallace's  interesting 
work  "  The  Malay  Archipelago."  An  anecdote  of  one  which  was  brought  to  this  naturalist 
during  his  residence  in  the  Aru  Islands — the  headquarters  of  the  great  bird  of  paradise — is 
thus  related  :  "  Just  as  we  had  cleared  away  and  packed  up  for  the  night,  a  strange  beast 
was  brought,  which  had  been  shot  by  the  natives.  It  resembled  in  size  and  in  its  white 
woolly  covering  a  small  fat  lamb,  but  had  short  legs,  hand-like  feet  with  large  claws,  and  a 
long  prehensile  tail.  It  was  a  Spotted  Cuscus.  one  of  the  curious  marsupial  animals  of  the 
Papuan  region,  and  I  was  very  desirous  to  obtain  the  skin.  The  owners,  however,  said  they 
wanted  to  eat  it;  and  though  I  offered  them  a  good  price,  and  promised  to  give  them  all  the 
meat,  there  was  great  hesitation.  Suspecting  the  reason,  I  offered,  though  it  was  night,  to  set 
to  work  immediately,  and  get  out  the  body  for  them,  to  which  they  agreed.  The  creature  was 
much  hacked  about,  and  the  two  hind  feet  almost  cut  off,  but  it  was  the  largest  and  finest 


ssion  of  S.  Sinclair,  Esq.] 

RING-TAILED   OPOSSUM,   OK   PHALANGER,   AND   NEST. 
This  is  the  only  Australian  opossum  which  builds  a  regular  nest. 


[Sydney. 


366 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


Photo  by  W.  Saville-Kent,  F.Z.S.]  \Croydon. 

SPOTTED  CUSCTJS. 

The  cusouses  are  sleepy  animals,  with  soft,  woolly  fur,  which  in  this 
species  is  curiously  variegated  in  colour. 


specimen  of  the  kind  I  had  seen ;  and  after  an 
hour's  hard  work  I  handed  over  the  body  to  the 
owners,  who  immediately  cut  it  up  and  roasted 
it  for  supper." 

The  remarkable  tenacity  of  life  possessed  by 
the  cuscus  is  fully  attested  to  by  Dr.  Wallace. 
He  says  :  "  They  move  about  slowly,  and  are  most 
difficult  to  kill,  owing  to  the  thickness  of  their 
skins  and  tenacity  of  life.  A  heavy  charge  of  shot 
will  often  lodge  in  the  skin  and  do  them  no 
harm,  and  even  breaking  the  spine  or  piercing  the 
brain  will  not  kill  them  for  some  hours.  The 
natives  everywhere  eat  their  flesh;  and  as  their 
motions  are  so  slow,  easily  catch  them  by  climbing; 
so  that  it  is  wonderful  that  they  have  not  been 
exterminated.  It  may  be,  however,  that  their  dense 
woolly  fur  protects  them  from  birds  of  prey,  and 
the  islands  they  live  in  are  too  thinly  inhabited 
for  man  to  be  able  to  exterminate  them." 

One  of  the  most  notable  circumstances  re- 
specting the  cuscus  is  the  fact  that  it  is  one  of 
the  few  marsupials  whose  geographical  distribution 
extends  so  far  east  in  the  Malay  Archipelago  as 
to  be  found  associated  with  many  of  the  higher 
mammalia  which  are  altogether  unrepresented  in 
Australia  or  New  Guinea.  The  Moluccas,  includ- 
ing notably  the  islands  of  Silolo,  Ceram,  Boru,  and  many  smaller  ones,  for  example,  produce 
no  less  than  three  species  of  cuscus,  and  are  also  the  home  of  a  species  of  baboon,  a  civet- 
cat,  a  deer,  and  that  remarkable  pig  the  babirusa.  One  other  marsupial,  a  little  flying- 
phalanger,  is  likewise  a  denizen  of  these  islands.  It  has  been  suggested  by  Dr.  Wallace  that 
none  of  the  foregoing  higher  mammals  are  possibly  indigenous  to  the  Moluccas.  The  baboon, 
he  remarks,  is  only  found  in  the  island  of  Batchian,  and  seems  to  be  much  out  of  place 
there.  It  probably  originated  from  some  individuals  which  escaped  from  confinement,  these 
and  similar  animals  being  often  kept  as  pets  by  the  Malay  inhabitants  and  carried  about  in 
their  praus.  The  civet-cat,  which  is  more  common  in  the  Philippines  and  throughout  the 
Indo-Malay  region,  is  also  carried  about  in  cages  from  one  island  to  another,  and  not  infrequently 
liberated  after  the  civet  has  been  abstracted  from  them.  The  deer,  which  is  likewise  tamed 
and  petted,  its  flesh  also  being  much  esteemed  for  food,  might  very  naturally  have  been 
brought  by  the  Malays  from  Java  with  the  express  object  of  its  acclimatisation.  The  babirusa, 
whose  headquarters  are  in  the  island  of  Celebes,  is  only  found  in  Boru,  its  nearest  neighbour 
in  the  Moluccan  group.  Dr.  Wallace  anticipates  that  these  two  islands  were  in  former  times 
more  closely  connected  by  land,  and  that  under  such  conditions  the  babirusa  may  have  swum 
across  the  intervening  channel.  Should  these  several  hypotheses  be  correct,  the  Molucca 
Islands  must  be  regarded,  from  a  zoological  standpoint,  as  an  essentially  Australasian  or 
marsupial-producing  region. 

THE  WOMBATS. 

The  Wombat  Family,  claiming  the  next  position  in  the  marsupial  galaxy,  constitutes  the 
very  antithesis  to  the  light,  and  graceful  arboreal  phalangers.  There  are  but  three  known  species, 
one  of  these  inhabiting  Tasmania  and  the  adjacent  islands,  while  the  other  two  are  peculiar 
to  the  southern  region  of  the  Australian  Continent.  In  forms  and  gait  their  thick-set  tailless 
bodies  suggest  a  cross  between  a  small  bear  and  a  capybara,  and  as  "bears"  and  "badgers" 


Marsupials    and    Monotremes 


36? 


they  are  familiarly  known  by  the  Australian  colonists.  The  badger  simile  is  perhaps  the  most 
pertinently  applied  with  reference  to  their  habit  of  excavating  huge  earth-burrows  as  dwelling- 
place^,  and  out  of  which  they  customarily  emerge  only  at  night  to  feed.  The  TASMANIAN 
WOMBAT,  at  all  events,  is  essentially  gregarious  in  its  habits.  In  the  neighbourhood  ol 
Swansea,  on  the  east  coast,  it  is,  or  was,  particularly  abundant,  forming  regular  warrens  among 
a  lighlt  undergrowth  of  vegetation,  through  which  travelling  on  horseback  is  a  distinctly  risky 
proceeding.  The  temperament  of  the  wombat  is  peculiarly  placid  ;  and  hence,  as  it  might  be 
anticipated,  they  are  essentially  long-lived.  One,  Charlie  by  name,  which  has  been  domiciled 
at  the  Zoo  for  the  past  thirty  years,  is  still  hale  and  hearty,  and  evidently  disinclined  yet 
awhile  to  immolate  himself  on  the  altar  of  fame  as  a  much-needed  successor  to  the  antique 
effigy  which  has  for  so  long  represented  his  species  in  the  British  Natural  History  Museum. 
Waiting  for  dead  men's  shoes  is  a  proverbially  tedious  task,  and  for  a  coveted  wombat's  skin 
evidently  more  so. 

The  tough  hide,  with  its  thick,  harsh  fur,  of  the  Tasmanian  wombat,  or  "badger,"  as  it  is 
locally  dubbed,  is  somewhat  highly  prized  in  the  land  of  its  birth.  For  floor-  and  door-mats  and 
rugs  the  pelt  is  practically  indestructible  ;  and  as  such,  though  scarcely  a  thing  of  beauty,  the 
special  pride  of  the  thrifty  housewife.  This  animal  is  also  not  infrequently  made  a  household 
pet,  and  will  waddle  as  complacently  as  an  over-fed  poodle  around  the  premises  'after  its  owner. 
The  wombat,  like  the  large  majority  of  the  marsupial  animals,  is  for  the 'most  part  nocturnal 
in  habits,  and  a  strict  vegetarian. 

The  wombats  present  several  interestingly  distinct  structural  peculiarities.  In  the  first 
place,  their  teeth,  which  are  twenty-four  in  number,  all  grow  uninterruptedly  throughout  life, 
and  are  consequently  devoid  of  roots.  The  incisor  teeth  are  represented  by  but  a  single  pair 
in  each  jaw,  and,  having  enamel  only  on  their  front  surfaces,  wear  away  in  a  chisel-like  form, 
as  in  the  beavers  and  other  rodents.  Superficially  in  both  form  and  habits,  as  well  as  in  the 
character  of  their  dentition,  the  wombats  may  in  fact  be  aptly  likened  to  some  unwieldy 
representative  of  the  Rodent  Order.  Another  structural  peculiarity  of  the  wombat  is  that  it  is 
the  proud  possessor  of  two  more  pairs  of  ribs  than  any  other  marsupial. 

Of  the  three  known  species,  the  COMMON  WOMBAT  of  the  South  and  Eastern  Australian 
States  is  the  largest, 
attaining  to  a  length 
of  as  much  as  3  feet. 
The  colour  of  this  form 
is  subject  to  consider- 
able variation,  being 
sometimes  yellow, 
yellow  more  or  less 
mixed  with  black,  or 
completely  black.  Al- 
binism, as  in  the  kan- 
garoos and  phalangers, 
is  of  apparently  rare 
occurrence.  The  hair, 
while  coarse,  is  less  so 
than  in  the  Tasmanian 
species.  What  is  known 
as  the  HAIRY-NOSED 
WOMBAT,  inhabiting 
South  Australia,  is  in- 
termediate in  Size  be-  Photo  by  E.  Landor]  [Baling, 

tween  the  common  and  COMMON  WOMBAT. 

the  Tasmanian  Varieties  ;  A  burrowing  animal  about  the  size  of  a  small  pig. 


368 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


its  most  distinctive  features  are  the  soft  and  silky  character  of  its  brownish  hair,  and  its  longer 
and  more  pointed  ears.  The  coarseness  of  the  hair  of  the  Tasmanian  species  has  been 
previously  referred  to  ;  in  colour  it  is  most  usually  a  dark  greyish  brown,  while  the  ears  are 
small  and  rounded. 

The  flesh  of  the  wombat  is  somewhat  esteemed  for  food,  being  regarded  by  some  as  equal 
to  pork,  and  much  resembling  it  in  flavour.  The  predilection  of  tame  specimens  for  milk  is 
very  strong,  and  it  has  been  recorded  of  one  animal  that  it  was  not  only  in  the  habit  of 
seeking  out  the  milk-pans  and  pushing  off  the  covers  in  order  to  drink  the  contents,  but 
afterwards  of  taking  a  bath  in  what  was  left. 

A  remarkable  habit  has  been  accredited  to  the  wombat  which  invites  scientific 
investigation.  It  is  said  to  be  capable  of  sustaining  life  for  an  abnormally  long  period 

under  water,  and  that  when 
in  the  course  of  its  travels  it 
meets  with  a  pond  or  river 
it  does  not  attempt  to  swim, 
but,  deliberately  entering  the 
water,  walks  along  the  bottom, 
and  so  emerges  on  the  opposite 
bank. 

The  animals  of  Australia 
living  in  not  very  remote 
geological  times  included  a 
near  ally  of  the  wombat 
which  equalled  a  tapir  in 
dimensions. 

THE  BANDICOOTS. 

The  Australian  BANDI- 
COOTS— not  to  be  confounded 
with  their  namesake  of  India, 
which  is  a  big  rat — constitute 
a  very  distinct  little  family 

group.  They  number  in  all  some  eight  or  nine  species,  distributed  throughout  the  length 
and  breadth  of  Australia  and  Tasmania,  and  found  also  in  New  Guinea.  The  largest  member 
is  about  the  size  of  a  rabbit;  and  as  its  general  shape,  long  ears,  and  soft  silky  hair  impart 
some  slight  resemblance  to  that  rodent,  it  is  commonly  known  as  the  BABBIT-BANDICOOT.  With 
the  above-enumerated  points,  however,  the  likeness  ceases — its  possession  of  a  moderately 
long  tail,  pointed  snout,  and  feet  'modified  on  a  plan  closely  resembling  those  of  the 
kangaroo's  indicating  its  essentially  distinct  nature.  In  a  second  variety,  having  somewhat 
the  same  external  contour,  but  smaller  in  size,  the  fore  limbs  are  very  short,  and  the 
feet  so  modified  that  only  two  toes  are  visible  externally.  With  reference  to  this  peculiar 
feature,  it  is  known  as  the  PIG-FOOTED  BANDICOOT.  In  a  third  kind  of  similar  dimensions, 
with  harsh  brown  fur,  the  ears  are  comparatively  short,  and  the  snout  is  so  abnormally 
prolonged  that  it  has  been  appropriately  named  the  LONG-NOSED  BANDICOOT.  Superficially, 
in  point  of  fact,  this  and  other  allied  species  so  closely  resemble  certain  of  the  long-snouted 
insectivorous  mammals,  such  as  the  Tenrec  and  Solenodon,  that  they  might  be  excusably 
mistaken  by  the  non-scientific  for  members  of  the  same  group.  The  bandicoots  are  chiefly 
nocturnal,  and  at  all  events  incorrigible  "  sun-downers,"  turning  up  for  their  meals  when 
the  evening  shadows  fall,  and  taking  a  heavy  and  unwelcome  toll  of  the  farmers'  potatoes, 
beets,  or  other  root  crops.  Like  the  wombat,  already  described,  they  are  earth -burrowers.  Some 
of  them,  however,  construct  nests  above-ground  in  long  coarse  grass  or  low  tangled  shrubs, 
which  are  so  ingeniously  built  in  accord  with  their  environment  as  to  readily  escape  detection. 


Photo  by  E. 


[Eating. 


HAIRY-NOSED   WOMBAT. 
A  form  peculiar  to  South  Australia. 


Photo  by  G.  W.  Wilson  &  Co.,  Ltd.] 


COMMON   WOMBAT. 

The  Wombats  may  be  said  to  hold  the  place  occupied  in  other  parts  of  the  world  by  the  Badgers. 

369 


[Aberdeen, 


47 


370 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


Insects  and  worms,  in  addition  to  a  main  diet  of  vegetable  matter,  contribute  to  the  bandicoot's 
somewhat  heterogeneous  menu. 

The  wood-  and  root-boring  larvae  of  a  moth  which  infests  the  Australian  wattle-  or  acacia- 
trees  are  a  very  favourite  food  with  several  of  the  species,  and  it  is  worthy  of  remark  that 
the  bandicoots  are  not  alone  in  displaying  a  penchant  for  this  delicacy.  Under  the  title  of 
"  bardies  "  they  are  collected  and  highly  esteemed  for  food  by  the  natives  of  Western  Australia, 
who  eat  them  either  cooked  or  raw.  These  larvae  are,  moreover,  acceptable  to  many  European 
palates,  and  the  writer  has  witnessed  little  faggot-like  bundles  of  them  brought  round  by  the 
natives  to  the  hotels  at  Geraldton,  Western  Australia,  for  sale  or  barter  to  chance  customers. 
It  may  be  observed  in  this  connection  that  the  analogous  wood-boring  larvae  of  the  goat-moth, 
which  were  kept  and  specially  fattened  for  the  occasion,  constituted  one  of  the  dainty  dishes  of 
the  luxurious  Eomans. 

One  of  the  commonest  species  found  in  Tasmania  is  known  as  the  BANDED  or  STRIPED- 
BACKED  BANDICOOT,  being  so  named  on  account  of  the  characteristic  markings  of  its  far.  The 
general  ground-colour  of  the  coat  is  an  almost  equal  admixture  of  black  and  yellow  hairs,  the 
black  tint,  however,  prevailing  on  the  back,  and  the  lighter  one  on  the  sides.  The  hind- 
quarters are,  however,  variegated  by  the  presence  of  some  three  or  four  broad  transverse  stripes 
that  are  almost  entirely  black,  while  the  intervening  spaces  are  a  light  whitish  yellow.  A 
few  shorter  stripes  are  sometimes  continued  as  far  as  the  root  of  the  tail,  this  appendage  also 
having  a  dark  line  running  along  its  upper  surface.  The  head  is  of  a  somewhat  lighter  tint 
than  the  remainder  of  the  body,  while  the  breast,  abdomen,  and  feet  are  white,  slightly 
tinged  with  grey.  The  transversely  striped  pattern  of  ornamentation  of  the  hindquarters 
of  this  bandicoot  is  of  interest  with  relation  to  the  circumstance  that  a  similarly  located 
banded  variegation  of  the  fur  occurs  also  in  the  Tasmanian  wolf,  or  thylacine,  and  in  the 
banded  ant-eater,  described  in  a  following  section.  As  a  colour-pattern  it  would  appear  to 
be  quite  peculiar  to  these  marsupials,  no  such  restriction  of  the  markings  occurring  among  the 
higher  or  placental  mammals.  In  the  South  African  suricate,  a  member  of  the  Ichneumon 
Tribe,  in  which  the  nearest  approach  to  this  dorsal  banding  is  met  with,  the  stripes  are 
equally  developed  as  far  forward  as  the  base  of  the  neck. 

Both  the  banded  and  other  species  of  bandicoots  are  extremely  swift  and  active  in  their 
movements,  and  are  at  the  same  time  noted  for  the  singularity  of  their  gait.  This  consists 
of  a  half-running  and  half-jumping  action,  induced  by  the  peculiar  structure  of  their  feet  and 
greater  length  of  the  hind  legs,  which  are  modified  on  a  plan  intermediate  between  that  of 
the  kangaroos  and  the  dasyures,  or  native  cats.  The  back  of  the  animal  while  running  being 

highly  arched,  adds  to  the  grotesque- 
ness  of  its  appearance.  Like  the  native 
cats,  the  pouch  in  the  bandicoots 
opens  backwards;  it  is  furnished 
with  eight  teats,  but  not  more  than 
two  young  are  usually  produced  at 
a  birth. 

The  striped-backed  bandicoot  is- 
not  infrequently  adopted  as  a  house- 
hold pet,  in  spite  of  its  notorious 
garden  depredations.  When  thus 
domesticated,  it  appears  to  be  capable 
of  developing  a  strong  attachment  for 
its  owner.  One  that  was  owned  by 
friends  of  the  writer  especially  attached 
itself  to  the  lady  of  the  house.  It  was- 
acquired  when  quite  young,  having 
escaped  from  the  pouch  of  an  adult 


Photo  by  W.  SavMe-Kent,  F.Z.S.]  [Milford-on-Hta. 

LOXG-XOSED   AUSTRALIAN   BANDICOOT. 
Bandicoots,  although  larger,  have  somewhat  the  appearance  of  shrews. 


Marsupials    and    Monotremes 


371 


Photo  by  IF'.  Samlle-Kent,  F.Z.S.~] 

RABBIT-BANDICOOT. 
The  largest  of  the  bandicoots  ;  about  the  sizt  of  a  rabbit. 


\_Milford-on-Sea, 


female  which  the  dogs  had  killed,  and 

being  then  about  the  size  of  a  mouse. 

It   speedily   learned   to    lap    milk,  and 

throve    on    a    diet    of   bread    and    raw 

potato.       As    it    grew    larger    it    was 

allowed    the    run    of    the    house,    and 

also    of    the    garden,    but     habitually 

returned      to       the      sleeping-quarters 

selected  by  itself,  and    represented  by 

the    woolly    depths    of    its     mistress's 

work-basket.      In   this    haven    of    rest 

it  slept  all  day,  scolding  and  snapping 

at  any  intruding  hand.     Towards  dusk 

it  would  waken    up   and   bustle   about 

in  a  most  energetic  manner,  with  the 

air,    in   fact,    of    having    an    immense 

amount  of  business  to  transact  within 

the  very  shortest   limits  of  time.     Its 

first  dart  was   always  towards  a  corner 

where     a     supper     of    bread-and-inilk 

and    potato    was    usually    placed.      This    meal    discussed,    its    evening's    occupation    commenced 

of    scampering   around   the   room    and   over    every  accessible   article  of    furniture.     Nor  was  it 

shy  of  climbing   up    and    resting   for   a   few   seconds  on    the    shoulders    of  its   human   friends, 

being   always,  however,  in   too   great   a   hurry  to   prolong  the  visit.     Finally,  as  with   all   pets, 

"Coota,"    as   he   was   familiarly   named,    came   to   an   untimely    end — not   a    cat,    however,    on 

this  occasion,  but,  if  rumour  whispers  true,  through  over-indulgence  in  a  too  liberally  furnished 

meal  of  custard  pudding. 

The  flesh  of  this  and  other  species  of  bandicoots  is  esteemed  for  food  both  by  the  natives 
and  the  white  settlers  in  Australia.  It  is  noteworthy  of  the  banded  variety,  more  especially, 
that  the  skin  adheres  so  tightly  to  the  flesh  that  its  removal  is  a  matter  of  some  considerable 
difficulty.  When  full  grown,  this  species  measures  as  much  as  18  inches  in  total  length, 
and  is  little  inferior  to  a  rabbit  with  regard  to  the  amount  of  good  meat  it  provides  for 
the  larder. 

THE  POUCHED  MOLE. 

A  still  more  essentially  insectivorous  marsupial  is  represented  by  the  little  mammal 
discovered  only  a  few  years  since  in  the  wild  sandy  wastes  of  Central  Australia.  In  form 
and  habits  it  so  nearly  resembles  the  familiar  European  mole  that  the  title  of  the  POUCHED 
MOLE  has  been  very  suitably  given  to  it.  At  the  same  time,  with  regard  to  its  remarkable 
organisation,  it  constitutes  the  sole  representative  of  its  peculiar  family  group.  The  first 
suspicions  of  the  existence  of  this  singular  little  animal  were  raised  by  the  observation  of 
peculiar  sinuous  three-lined  tracks  at  irregular  intervals  on  the  surface  of  the  sandy  regions  it 
inhabits. 

After  a  long  quest,  with  the  aid  of  the  aborigines,  the  first  specimen  was  discovered 
reposing  under  a  tuft  of  coarse  porcupine-grass.  A  further  investigation  elicited  the  fact  that 
its  burrowing  proclivities  were  much  less  pronounced  than  those  of  the  ordinary  moles,  the 
little  creature  progressing  alternately  over  the  surface  of  the  sand,  and  then  ploughing  its 
way,  for  several  feet  or  yards,  two  or  three  inches  only  beneath  the  surface.  All  efforts 
to  preserve  examples  of  this  marsupial  alive  for  longer  periods  than  three  or  four  days 
proved  abortive :  for  though  the  remains  of  ants  and  other  insects  were  found  within  its 
viscera,  it  refused  to  feed  upon  the  living  supplies  that  were  provided  for  it.  In  fact,  the 
animal  itself  apparently  ran  the  greater  risk  of  being  eaten. 


372 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


r    * 


I'/ioto  by  A.  S.  Jtudland  ifc  Sons. 

POUCHED   MOLE. 

This  animal  is  of  a  pale  golden-red  colour,  and  about  5  inches  long.  It  spends  most  of  its 
time  burrowing,  which  it  can  do  with  great  rapidity,  in  the  sand  of  the  Australian  deserts  in 
search  of  insects. 


Photo  by  W.  Saville-Kent,  F.Z.S.,  MdJord-on-Sea. 
UNDER  SURFACE   OP  POUCHED   MOLE. 
Notice  the  abnormal  size  of  the  third  and  fourth 
toes  of  the  fore  limbs,  and  their  peculiar  scoop-Jike 
•tape. 


The  colour  of  the  pouched 
mole  is  for  the  most  part 
light  fawn,  varying  in  parts 
to  golden  yellow.  One  of 
its  most  conspicuous  features, 
as  illustrated  in  the  accom- 
panying photographs,  is  the 
abnormal  size  of  the  third 
and  fourth  toes  of  the  fore 
limbs,  their  peculiar  scoop-like 
character  proving  of  eminent 
service  to  the  animal  in 
its  customary  sand-burrowing 
habits. 

THE  TASMANIAN  WOLF. 

The  remaining  family  of 
the  Australian  marsupials 
constitutes  a  parallel  to  the 
carnivorous  order  of  the  higher 
mammalia,  all  its  members 
being  more  or  less  flesh- 
eaters,  and  having  their 
dentition  modified  with  relation  to  such  habits.  One 
of  these  (the  TASMANIAN  WOLF,  or  TIGER  of  the  colonists, 
better  known  to  zoologists  as  the  THYLACINE)  is  an  animal 
of  considerable  size.  Its  dimensions  equal  those  of  a  wolf 
or  mastiff,  with  which  the  contour  of  its  body  and  more 
especially  that  of  the  head  very  nearly  correspond.  In 
common  with  the  true  dogs,  the  thylacine  hunts  its 
prey  by  scent.  This  is  well  attested  to  by  the  following 
incident,  as  related  by  eye-witnesses.  While  camping  out 
among  the  hills  in  Tasmania  their  attention  was  attracted 
very  early  one  morning  by  a  brush-kangaroo  hopping  past 
their  fire  in  an  evidently  highly  excited  state.  Some  ten 
minutes  later  up  cantered  a  she  thylacine  with  her  nose 
down  exactly  on  the  track,  evidently  following  the  scent,  and 
in  another  quarter  of  an  hour  her  two  cubs  came  by  also 
in  the  precise  track.  While  not  very  swift,  the  Tasmanian 
"  tigers "  possess  immense  staying  power,  and  will  keep  up 
a  long,  steady  canter  for  many  hours  on  end.  Accustomed 
in  its  primitive  state  to  run  down  and  prey  upon  the 
kangaroos,  wallabies,  and  other  weaker  marsupial  mammals 
indigenous  to  the  regions  it  inhabits,  the  Tasmanian  wolf 
speedily  acquired  a  predilection  for  the  imported  flocks  of 
the  settlers,  and  proved  almost  as  destructive  to  them  as 
its  Old  World  namesake.  To  check  its  ravages,  a  price 
was  put  upon  its  head  by  the  Tasmanian  Government; 
and  this  measure,  in  conjunction  with  the  rapid  advances 
towards  the  complete  settlement  of  the  country  which 
have  been  accomplished  within  later  years,  has  compassed 
this  animal's  extermination  in  all  but  the  wildest  and 


Marsupials    and    Monotremes 


373 


most  inaccessible  mountain  districts.  The  colour-markings  of 
this  animal  are  somewhat  striking,  the  grey-brown  tints  which 
characterise  the  ground-hues  of  the  body  and  limbs  being 
varied  by  a  series  of  dark  bands  traversing  the  buttocks,  these 
being  widest  in  this  region,  and  continued  forwards  to  the 
middle  of  the  back.  A  somewhat  similar  cross-stripe  pattern 
of  ornamentation  occurs  in  the  relatively  small  member  of  the 
same  family  described  later  on  as  the  Banded  Ant-eater. 

Examples  of  the  Tasmanian  wolf  have  frequently  been  on 
view  at  the  Eegent's  Park  Gardens,  a  very  fine  young  male 
specimen  being  at  present  located  in  the  marsupial  section. 
Within  a  few  weeks  of  its  arrival  it  was  on  excellent  terms 
with  its  keeper,  though,  owing  to  its  somewhat  imperfect  sense 
of  vision  during  the  daytime,  it  was  apt  to  snap  somewhat 
promiscuously  at  those  attempting  to  cultivate  its  close  ac- 
quaintanceship. That  a  bite  from  its  formidable  teeth  is  not 
to  be  lightly  risked  will  be  made  abundantly  apparent  by  a 

«• 

glance  at  the  successful  yawning  pose  photograph  secured  of 
this  example  by  Mr.  Medland,  and  here  reproduced.  Although  the  thylacine  is  at  the 
present  time  entirely  limited  in  its  distribution  to  Tasmania,  it  occurs  in  the  fossil  state 
on  the  Australian  mainland;  while,  singularly  to  relate,  the  remains  of  a  closely  allied  form 
have  within  recent  years  been  unearthed  in  Patagonia.  This  circumstance,  taken  in  conjunc- 
tion with  the  fact  that  many  other  fossil  types  with  Australian  and  New  Zealand  affinities 
have  been  discovered  in  the  same  South  American  strata,  has  strengthened  the  supposition 
maintained  by  many  zoologists  that  in  bygone  ages  a  vast  Antarctic  continent,  spreading; 
through  the  areas  now  occupied  by  the  Southern  Indian  and  Pacific  Oceans,  temporarily  united" 
the  now  distinct  lands  of  South  America  and  Australasia. 


Photo  ly  L.  M&tland,  F.Z.S.,  SorthFlnchley. 

TASMANIAN   WOLF. 

This    photograph   shows  the   great  width  of 
gape  of  this  ferocious  animal. 


THE  TASMANIAN  DEVIL. 

Next  in  size  to  the  thylacine,  but  possessing  a  more  unenviable  notoriety  for  the 
uncompromising  sulkiness  and 
savagery  of  its  disposition, 
is  the  animal  which,  in  virtue 
of  the  aforesaid  qualities,  is 
known  by  the  title  of  the 
TASMANIAN  DEVIL.  In  shape 
and  dimensions  this  marsupial 
carnivore  somewhat  resembles 
a  badger ;  but  the  head  is 
abnormally  large,  the  masseter 
muscles  which  control  the 
action  of  the  powerful  jaws 
monopolising  a  very  consider- 
able share  of  the  face  area. 
The  limbs  are  short  and  also 
very  powerful,  the  front  paws 
being  well  adapted  to  its 
burrowing  habits.  There  is 
some  slight  variation  in  the 

3  Pliotoby  L.  Medland,  F.Z.S.}  [ Sorth  FinchUy. 

colours      of     this      marsupial  TASMANIA*  WOLF. 

and,       aS       the  In  this  photograph  are  shown  nearly  all  the  chief  characteristic  points  of  the  Tasmanian  wolf.- 


374 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


Photo  by  York  <L-  80 


[Notting  Hill. 


TASMANIAN  DEVIL. 


A  small,  but  stout  and  powerful  animal,  very  destructive,  and  absolutely  untamable. 


aphorism  runs  concerning 
his  sable  namesake,  he  is 
not  always  so  black  as  he 
is  painted.  More  or  less 
or  in  fact  mostly  black  he 
always  is,  but  there  is 
usually  a  redeeming  thread 
or  patch  of  white  upon  his 
coat.  This  may  take  the 
form  of  a  small  star-like 
spot  only  on  the  front  of 
its  chest,  which  not  infre- 
quently extends  to  a  narrow 
crescent-shaped  band  or  line 
continued  round  the  neck 
almost  to  the  shoulders. 
One  or  more  supplementary 
spots  of  white  may  also  be 
developed  upon  the  flanks 
and  hindquarters. 

The     destructive     pro- 
pensities of  the  Tasmanian 

devil,  wherein  the  farmers'  sheep  and  poultry  are  concerned,  are  in  no  way  inferior  to  those  of 
the  Tasmanian  wolf,  and  in  consequence  of  their  former  much  greater  abundance  the  havoc 
these  animals  committed  was  the  more  serious.  Placed,  like  the  last-named  type,  under 
Government  ban,  these  native  devils  have,  in  comparison  with  the  earlier  days  of  colonisation, 
very  considerably  ceased  from  troubling,  and  with  the  ever-progressing  march  of  settlement  and 
-civilisation  will  probably  be  altogether  exterminated  at  a  no  very  distant  date.  A  bag  of  no 
less  than  150  of  these  marauders,  in  the  course  of  one  winter,  was  recorded  from  an  upland 
sheep-station  some  twenty  or  thirty  years  ago.  In  common  with  the  thylacine,  it  has  been 
observed  that  the  Tasmanian  devil  has  a  marked  predilection  for  prowling  along  the  seashore 
in  search  apparently  of  crabs,  fish,  or  any  acceptable  flotsam  and  jetsam  that  may  be  cast  up 
by  the  waves. 

Examples  of  this  most  unamiable  of  mammals  were  brought  in  alive  on  several  occasions 
to  the  Hobart  Museum  during  the  writer's  residence  in  Tasmania,  but  in  all  cases  obstinately 
resisted  every  attempt  towards  the  establishment  of  a  friendly  footing.  Their  ultimate 
relegation  to  the  specimen-cases  was,  under  the  circumstances,  unattended  by  any  very 
poignant  manifestations  of  regret.  A  fact  brought  into  prominent  notice  during  subsequent 
post-mortem  investigations  was  the  extraordinary  extent  to  which  these  animals  are  infested 
with  vermin.  Possibly  this  circumstance  is  to  a  considerable  extent  accountable  for  the  creature's 
unconquerable  irritability.  The  experiment  as  to  whether  a  course  of  disinfecting  treatment, 
by  baths  or  otherwise,  would  not  conduce  towards  the  taming  of  this  native  devil,  where  all 
other  applied  methods  have  failed,  would  at  all  events  be  worth  the  trial.  The  bath  pure 
and  simple  is  •&  wonderful  soporific  for  unruly  tempers.  As  most  schoolboys  know,  a  pail  of 
water,  from  which  the  patient  is  withdrawn  when  a  watery  grave  is  apparently  inevitable,  is 
an  unfailing  specific  for  the  taming  of  mice  and  other  "small  deer."  The  writer's  experience 
with  a  villainously  savage  cat  which  one  night  fell  incontinently  into  an  uncovered  cistern,  and 
was  rescued  by  him  at  almost  the  last  gasp,  will  not  be  readily  forgotten.  That  cat,  though 
still  a  vixen  to  the  ordinary  members  of  the  household,  forthwith  attached  itself  affectionately 
to  its  rescuer,  and  would  sit  for  hours  awaiting  his  arrival  on  the  doorstep  when  the  business 
of  the  day  was  over.  Other  fierce  creatures,  including  the  Tasmanian  devil,  would  possibly 
prove  amenable  to  the  judicious  application  of  the  "  water  cure." 


Marsupials    and    Monotremes 


375 


THE  NATIVE  CATS. 


The  animals  common  in  Tasmania  and  throughout  the  greater  portion  of  the  Australian- 
Continent,  and  familiarly  known  as  SPOTTED  or  NATIVE  CATS,  and  to  zoologists  as  DASYURES, 
enjoy  also  an  unenviable  reputation  for  their  depredations  among  the  settlers'  hen-roosts.  To 
look  at,  these  native  cats  are  the  most  mild-mannered  and  inoffensive  of  creatures.  Actually, 
however,  they  possess  the  most  bloodthirsty  proclivities,  and  may  be  aptly  compared  in  their 
habits  to  the  stoats,  weasels,  polecats,  and  other  Old  World  carnivora.  There  are  some  five  known 
species,  the  largest  being  equal  to  an  ordinary  cat  in  size,  and  the  smaller  ones  about  half 
these  dimensions.  All  of  them  are  distinguished  by  their  spotted  pattern  of  ornamentation, 
such  spots  being  white  or  nearly  so,  and  more  or  less  abundantly  sprinkled  over  a  darker 
background  which  varies  from  light  grey  to  chocolate-brown.  In  the  commonest  form,  represented 
in  the  accompanying  photograph,  the  ears  and  the  under  surface  of  the  body  are  also  often 
white.  No  two  individuals,  however,  are  to  be  found  precisely  alike  in  the  pattern  of  their 


Sy  permission  of  S.  Sinclair,  Esq.]  [Sydney. 

SPOTTED   DASYURES,    OB  AUSTRALIAN   NATIVE  CATS. 
This  species  is  rather  smaller  than  an  ordinary-sized  cat.    All  the  dasyures  are  aboroal  in  their  habits,  and  very  destructive  to  birds. 

markings.  The  dasyures  differ  from  the  two  preceding  types,  the  Tasmanian  wolf  and  the 
devil,  in  being  essentially  arboreal  in  their  habits,  living  by  day  and  breeding,  as  the  majority 
of  the  Australian  opossums,  in  the  hollow  gum-tree  trunks,  from  which  they  emerge  at  nightfall 
to  seek  their  food.  This,  in  their  native  state,  when  hen-roosts  are  not  accessible,  consists- 
mainly  of  birds  and  such  smaller  marsupial  forms  as  they  can  readily  overpower. 

THE  POUCHED  MICE. 

The  so-called  POUCHED  MICE  represent  a  group  of  smaller-sized  carnivorous  mammals  which 
have  much  in  common  with  the  dasyures,  but  are  devoid  of  their  spotted  ornamentation. 
None  of  them  exceed  a  rat  in  size.  They  number  about  twelve  or  fourteen  known  species, 
and  are  distributed  throughout  the  greater  part  of  Australia  and  New  Guinea,  and  extend 
thence  to  the  Aru  Islands.  They  are  said  not  to  occur  in  the  extreme  north  of  the 
Australian  Continent.  The  writer,  however,  obtained  an  example  of  the  brush-tailed  species, 


376 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


here  illustrated,  from  the  neighbourhood 
of  Broome,  in  the  farthest  north  or 
Kimberley  district  of  Western  Australia. 
This  specimen,  which  was  caught  alive 
in  a  rat-trap,  exhibited  astonishingly 
potent  gnawing  powers,  almost  succeeding 
one  night  in  eating  its  way  through  the 
wooden  box  in  which  it  was  temporarily 
confined.  The  habits  of  this  species  are 
omnivorous,  and  chiefly  akin  to  those  of 
the  ordinary  rats,  it  being  accustomed 
to  prowl  round  the  out-buildings  at 
night,  picking  up  any  unconsidered  trifles 
in  the  way  of  food  that  may  be  left 
unprotected. 

Many  of  the  smaller  members  of 
this  tribe  are  no  larger  than  mice  ;  and 
in  one  form,  known  as  the  JERBOA 
POUCHED  MOUSE,  inhabiting  Queensland 
and  New  South  Wales,  the  hind  limbs 
are  abnormally  prolonged,  and  the  animal 
progresses  by  leaps  and  bounds,  after 
the  fashion  of  the  true  jerboas,  or  its 
nearer  relatives,  the  ordinary  kangaroos 
and  rat-kangaroos. 

THE  BANDED  ANT-EATER. 

One  of  the  most  interesting  from  the 
zoologist's     standpoint,    and    the    last   on 

OUr  list  of  the  Australian  marsupials,  is 
the  ^^  creature,  limited  in  its  habitat 

to  Western  Australia,  locally  known  as  the  SQUIRREL.  The  BANDED  ANT-EATER,  with  reference 
to  its  striped  ornamentation  and  ant-eating  habits,  is  the  name  by  which  it  is  usually  chronicled 
in  natural  history  works.  In  size  and  shape,  except  for  its  more  pointed  snout,  its  squirrel- 
like  aspect  is  certainly  somewhat  striking.  Like  the  true  ant-eaters  of  the  Edentate  Mammalian 
Order,  it,  however,  possesses  a  long  protrusile  tongue,  with  which  it  is  accustomed  in  a  similar 
manner  to  lick  up  the  ants  which  constitute  its  main  food-supply. 

The  most  interesting  biological  peculiarity  of  this  animal  is  the  abnormal  development 
of  its  teeth.  These  number  as  many  as  from  fifty-two  to  fifty-six,  and  exceed  the  dental 
formula  of  any  other  known  existing  marsupial.  The  usual  colour  of  this  interesting  little 
animal  is  a  warm  chestnut-brown,  banded  transversely  over  the  back  with  white,  these  stripes 
being  widest  and  most  conspicuous  over  the  hindquarters.  This  somewhat  paradoxical  marsupial 
possesses  no  pouch,  the  young,  when  first  born  and  attached  to  the  nipples  in  the  manner 
characteristic  of  ordinary  marsupials,  being  covered  over  and  concealed  among  the  longer  hairs 
that  clothe  the  abdominal  region.  In  the  dasyures,  or  native  cats,  previously  described,  the 
pouch  exists  only  in  a  rudimentary  condition,  its  function  being  fulfilled  by  merely  a  few 
okin-folds  ;  while  in  the  "  tiger  "  and  native  devil  the  pouch,  contrary  to  that  of  the  kangaroos, 
opens  backwards. 

In  disposition  the  banded  ant-eater  presents  a  marked  contrast  to  that  of  many  of  the 
preceding  types.  Caught  in  its  native  habitat,  it  does  not  attempt  to  bite,  and  soon  becomes 
reconciled  to  captivity.  The  peculiar  nature  of  its  diet,  however,  militates  against  its  being 
easily  transported  over-sea  from  the  Antipodes. 


PMo  *  w.  sa.iae.Kent,  F.Z.8.} 

BRUSH-TAILED  POUCHED  MOUSE,  OR  pHAscoGALE. 

A  slender  and  graceful  animal,  the  largest  of  the  thirteen  known    species,  and 
abont  the  size  of  an  ordinary,  at. 


Marsupials    and    Monotremes 


377 


Photo  by  W.  Samlle-Kent,  F.Z.S.] 

BANDED   ANT-EATEK. 


[MUfonl-on-St' 


From  an  anatomical   point  of  view,   this  is  one  of    the  most   remarkable  of   the    pouched 

mammals. 


THE  AMERICAN  OPOSSUMS. 

The  little  group  of  the 
American  marsupials  contains 
some  three  or  four  generically 
distinct  types  whose  relation- 
ship with  the  Australian 
members  of  the  order  is  in 
the  direction  of  the  dasyures 
and  bandicoots  rather  than 
with  the  kangaroos  and 
phalangers.  Included  in  one 
family,  they  are  popularly 
known  as  Opossums,  but  differ 
among  themselves  very  consider- 
ably both  in  aspect  and  habits. 
The  most  remarkable  among 
them  is  undoubtedly  the  so- 
called  YAPOCK,  or  WATER- 
OPOSSUM,  an  inhabitant  of  South  America,  and  ranging  in  its  distribution  from  Guatemala  to 
Brazil.  In  both  form  and  habits  this  animal  so  closely  resembles  an  otter  that  it  was  referred 
by  the  earlier  naturalists  to  the  Otter  Tribe.  It  tunnels  holes  in  the  banks  of  the  rivers  it 
frequents,  and  feeds  entirely  upon  fish,  Crustacea,  and  aquatic  insects.  The  feet,  and  more 
especially  the  hind  ones,  are  distinctly  webbed ;  the  tail  is  naked,  scaly,  and  non-prehensile ; 
and  the  fur  is  short  and  thick,  as  in  the  ordinary  otters.  The  ground-tint  of  the  fur  is  a 
light  grey  :  this  is  diversified  by  a  black  or  dark  brown  stripe  that  runs  down  the  centre  of 
the  back,  and  expands  over  the  shoulders,  loins,  and  hindquarters  into  saddle-shaped  patches 
or  bands  of  the  same  dark  hue. 

The  COMMON  or  VIRGINIAN  OPOSSUM,  while  the  only  representative  of  the  Marsupial  Order 
found  in  the  temperate  latitudes  of  the  North  American  Continent,  has  a  very  considerable 
range  of  distribution,  occurring  in  equal  abundance  throughout  the  tropical  regions  of  South 
America.  In  these  warmer  latitudes  it  differs  to  such  an  extent  in  the  character  of  its 
fur  and  other  minor  points  that  it  was  for  some '  time  regarded  as  a  distinct  species,  and 
was  distinguished  by  the  title  of  the  CRAB-EATING  OPOSSUM.  Biologists  are,  however,  now 
agreed  that  the  supposed  species  is  only  a  local  variety.  As  a  matter  of  fact,  a  very  consider- 
able amount  of  variation  in  the  colour  and  markings  is  found  to  exist  among  the  individuals 
of  the  most  familiarly  known  northern  race.  In  form  the  animal  may  be  suitably  compared 
to  a  huge  rat,  nearly  equalling  a  cat  in  size,  with  an  abnormally  large  head  and  pointed 
snout.  The  tail  is  long,  almost  naked  for  the  greater  portion  of  its  length,  and  pre-eminently 
prehensile.  The  fur  is  of  a  mixed  character,  consisting  of  an  undergrowth  of  a  fine,  close, 
woolly  texture,  through  which  protrudes  a  less  dense  series  of  long  bristle-like  hairs.  The 
colour  of  the  fur  ranges  from  black  to  white,  and  includes  all  varieties  of  intermixture.  The 
face,  more  especially  in  the  northern  race,  is  usually  much  the  lightest  or  altogether  white, 
while  in  the  tropical  South  American  examples  it  is  more  often  darker,  or  it  may  be 
completely  black. 

The  opossum,  like  the  rat,  is  an  omnivorous  feeder ;  and  being  of  so  much  larger  size,  and 
possessing  an  insatiable  appetite,  constitutes  itself  a  veritable  pest  to  the  fruit-grower,  the 
agriculturist,  and  the  poultry-farmer.  In  effecting  its  entrance  to  hen-roosts  or  other  food- 
yielding  enclosures,  it  exhibits  an  amount  of  cunning  and  pertinacity  possessed  by  no  other 
mammal.  Caught  red-handed  in  these  depredations,  it  has  recourse  to  stratagems  which 
have  won  for  it  a  reputation  that  has  long  since  passed  into  a  household  word.  Feigning 
death,  or  "playing  'possum,"  is  a  game  at  which  it  is  well  known  to  be  a  past-master,  but  by 

48 


378 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


Photo  by  W. 


YAPOCK,   OB   WATER-OPOSSUM. 
In  habits,  although  not  in  size  and  colour,  this  marsupial  may  be  compared  to  a  wolf. 


which  it  still  frequently  succeeds 
in  hoodwinking  the  unwary,  and 
so  saves  its  skin.  Discovered 
thieving,  and  receiving  perhaps 
a  haphazard  but  by  no  means 
disabling  blow,  it  at  once 
collapses,  and  with  film-covered 
eyes  and  protruding  tongue  is  to- 
all  intents  and  purposes  dead. 
It  may  be  kicked  round  the 
premises,  and  finally  probably 
taken  up  by  the  tail  and  flung 
ignominiously  outside,  without 
betraying  vitality  by  even  so- 
much  as  a  wink.  But  no  sooner 
is  the  coast  thoroughly  clear  of 
the  avenger  than  the  stiffened 
limbs  relax,  the  eyes  reopen,  and 
Brer  'Possum  trots  off,  as  fresh 
as  ever.  Maybe  it  is  the  ripen- 
ing maize  or  the  persimmon-patch 
that  next  engages  his  attention,  and  in  either  case  he  walks  in  and  feeds  right  royally,, 
laying  up  a  goodly  store  of  fat  against  the  approaching  winter  months  of  scarcity. 

Away  from  human  habitations  the  opossum  is  an  essentially  arboreal  animal,  living  and 
breeding  for  the  most  part,  like  his  Australian  cousins,  in  hollow  trees,  and  making  excursions 
therefrom  in  all  directions  in  quest  of  food.  His  much-mixed  natural  diet  may  consist  of 
tender  shoots  and  leaves,  and  the  wild  grapes  and  the  many  other  berries  and  fruits  the  forest 
produces.  He  craves,  however,  after  a  due  admixture  of  animal  pabulum,  and  birds  and  their 
eggs,  insects,  lizards,  and  the  smaller  mammals  furnish  their  quota  to  his  menu.  Crustacea, 
such  as  crabs  and  the  crayfish  which  abound  in  the  American  streams  and  marshes,  have  an. 
irresistible  attraction  for  him ;  and  it  is  on  this  account  that,  in  the  southern  area  of  his 
distribution,  where  these  Crustacea  are  so  plentiful  as  to  constitute  his  main  diet,  and  his  face- 
is  browned  by  the  more  glowing  sun,  he  is  known  by  the  title  of  the  Crab-eater. 

Although  fattening  up  against  the  winter,  he,  even  in  his  most  northern  limits,  does  not 
hibernate,  but  may  even  be  seen  leisurely  picking  his  way  over  the  snow,  probably  tracking 
some  unfortunate  squirrel  to  its  lair,  which  in  due  time  is  located,  dragged  out,  and 
devoured.  While  assimilating  his  meal  of  flesh  or  fruit,  Brer  'Possum  likes  to  have  all  four 
hands  at  liberty,  his  hind  feet  being  also  graspers ;  and  so  he  twists  his  tail  round  a  convenient 
branch,  and,  hanging  perdu,  leisurely  enjoys  his  feast.  The  opossum,  like  the  rat — to  which 
it  has  in  aspect  and  many  of  its  habits  been  likened — is  a  most  prolific  breeder,  as  many  as 
from  six  to  sixteen  young  being  comprised  in  the  litter.  When  born,  they  are  immediately 
transferred  to  the  somewhat  capacious  pouch,  and  remain  there  without  venturing  outside  until 
they  are  about  the  size  of  an  ordinary  mouse. 

A  third  and  very  distinct  type  of  American  opossums  is  the  one  represented  on- 
page  380,  which,  from  its  mouse-like  size  and  aspect,  is  commonly  known  as  the  MuiiiNE 
OPOSSUM.  The  most  distinct  feature  of  this  little  animal  is  that,  though  a  genuine  marsupial, 
it  has  no  pouch,  but  carries  its  young  on  its  back,  the  little  creatures  twining  their  tails 
round  that  of  their  mother,  and  so  securing  a  stable  anchorage.  Although  thus  loaded  up  and 
transformed  for  the  time  being  into  a  sort  of  combination  perambulator  and  feeding-flask,  the 
happy  but  anxious  parent  pursues  the  even  tenor  of  her  way  among  the  tree-branches  and 
thicket-growths  with  almost  unabated  agility.  This  species,  in  common  with  MERIAM'S  OPOSSUM 
and  the  WOOLLY  OPOSSUM  and  several  others  which  carry  their  young,  to  as  many  as  a  dozen 


Marsupials   and    Monotremes 


379 


in  number,  on  their 
backs,  are  denizens 
of  tropical  South 
America.  One  of 
these,  named  the 
PHILANDER  OPOSSUM, 
attains  to  the  some- 
what larger  size  of 
about  2  feet  in  total 
length,  the  long 
prehensile  tail 
representing,  how- 
ever, the  greater 
moiety  of  these 
dimensions. 

THE  SELVA. 

South  America 
has  one  other  mar- 
supial— the  SELVA 
— an  animal  which, 
while  possessing  the 
dimensions  and 
much  of  the  aspect 
of  an  ordinary  rat, 
is  remarkable  as 
differing  so  materi- 
ally in  the  character 
of  its  teeth  and 
other  structural 
points  that  it  cannot 
be  referred  to  any 
existing  marsupial 
family.  On  the 
other  hand,  this  type 
is  found  to  coincide 
in  the  above  par- 
ticulars with  species 
hitherto  only  known 
in  the  fossil  state, 
and  excavated  from 
the  same  tertiary 
deposits  in  Pata- 
gonia which  have 
been  productive  of 
the  distant  ally  of 
the  Tasmanian  wolf. 
It  is  yet  hoped  by 

zoologists  that  the  discovery  of  other  interesting  and  possibly  some  supposed  extinct  mammals 
may  reward  the  thorough  exploration  of  the  vast  South  American  forests.  The  capture  in  the 
flesh  of  some  form  allied  to  the  huge  ground-sloths,  such  as  the  Mylodon  and  Megatherium, 
is,  however,  now  considered  to  be  quite  beyond  the  pale  of  possibility. 


Photo  by  Dr.  R.  W.  Sliufeldt] 

YOUNG   OPOSSUM   (NATURAL   SIZE). 

This  is  an  interesting  photograph ,  as  it  is  reproduced  life-size,  and  gives  an  excellent  idea  of  the  animal  in  its 


native  land. 


38o 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


Photo  by  W.  Saville-Kcnt,  F.Z.S.] 


[Milford-oii-tiea. 


MONOTREMES,   OR  EGG-LAYING 
MAMMALS. 

WITH  this  group  or  order  of  the  Mam- 
malian Class  we  arrive,  as  it  were,  on  the 
borderland  between  the  mere  typical  Mammals 
and  Keptiles.  In  the  last  group,  that 
of  the  Marsupials,  it  was  observed  that  the 
young  were  brought  into  the  world  at  an 
abnormally  early  and  helpless  phase  of  their 
existence,  and  usually  consigned,  until  able 
to  see  and  walk,  to  a  variously  modified  pro- 
tective pouch.  With  the  Monotremes  a  yet 
lower  rung  in  the  evolutional  ladder  is  reached, 
and  we  find  that  the  young  are  brought  into 
the  outer  world  as  eggs,  these  being  in  the  one 
case  deposited  in  a  nest  or  burrow,  and  in  the 
other  carried  about  by  the  parent  in  a  rudi- 
mentary sort  of  pouch  until  they  are  hatched. 
The  living  representatives  of  this  singular 
mammalian  order  are  but  few  in  number,  being 
restricted,  in  point  of  fact,  to  only  two  distinctly 
differentiated  family  types — the  Echidna  or 
Porcupine  Ant-eater,  and  the  Platypus.  These 
monotremes,  moreover,  like  the  majority  of 
the  existing  marsupials,  are  limited  in  their 
distribution  to  the  Australasian  region.  The 
single  species  of  the  Platypus  is  only  found 
in  Tasmania  and  the  southern  and  eastern 

districts  of  the  Australian  Continent,  while  the  Echidna  numbers  some  three  recognised  species, 
two  of  which  belong  to  Australia  and  Tasmania  and  the  third  to  New  Guinea. 

THE  ECHIDNA. 

The  ECHIDNA,  PORCUPINE  ANT-EATER,  or  "PORCUPINE,"  as  it  is  commonly  called  by  the 
Australian  colonists,  would  seem  at  first  sight  to  represent  an  animal  in  which  the  characters 
of  the  hedgehog  and  the  common  porcupine  are  inter  blended,  the  innumerable  spines  being 
longer  than  those  of  the  former,  but  less  in  length  than  those  of  the  last-named  animal.  The 
head,  with  no  externally  visible  ears  and  remarkable  elongated  beak-like  snout,  however,  at 
once  proclaims  it  to  be  altogether  distinct  from  these.  The  animal  has  no  teeth,  and  the 
tiny  mouth  at  the  termination  of  the  beak-like  snout  simply  constitutes  an  aperture  for  the 
extrusion  of  the  worm-like  glutinous  tongue,  wherewith,  after  the  manner  of  the  true  ant-eaters, 
it  licks  up  the  inhabitants  of  the  ants'  nests  upon  which  it  feeds.  For  tearing  down  the 
ants'  nests  and  obtaining  its  customary  food,  as  also  for  its  inveterate  burrowing  propensity, 
the  feet,  and  more  especially  the  front  ones,  are  provided  with  strong,  blunt,  and  very  powerful 
claws.  The  male  animal  is  in  addition  armed  on  the  hind  feet  with  a  peculiar  supplementary 
spur,  which  is,  however,  still  more  conspicuously  developed  in  the  platypus. 

Three  distinct  species  of  the  echidna  are  recognised  by  zoologists.  The  one  peculiar  to 
the  cooler  climate  of  Tasmania  is  remarkable  for  its  more  slender  spines,  the  much  greater 
abundance  of  the  long  bristle-like  hairs,  and  the  thickness  of  the  seal-brown  under-fur,  as 
compared  with  the  typical  Australian  form.  In  North-west  New  Guinea  the  largest  and  most 
aberrant  form  is  met  with.  Normally  it  has  only  three  toes  in  place  of  five  to  each  foot, 
the  spines  are  very  long  and  thick,  the  body  is  deeper  and  more  compressed,  and  the  animal 
stands  comparatively  high  upon  its  feet. 


WOOLLY  AMERICAN  OPOSSUM. 

This  animal  is  about  the  size  of  a  large  mouse.     It  carries  its  young  on 
its  back,  their  tails  being  entwined  round  that  of  their  parent. 


Marsupials    and    Monotremes 


381 


The  writer,  during  his  residence  in  Tasmania,  had  several  examples  of  the  local  species  as 
domestic  pets.  For  the  first  few  days  they  were  very  shy  and  untractable,  burrowing  into 
the  earth  and  seeking  to  escape,  or  presenting  an  impenetrable  chcval  de  frise  of  sharp- 
pointed  spines  to  the  hands  that  sought  to  caress  them.  After  a  short  interval,  however,  the 
creatures  became  entirely  reconciled  to  human  society  and  the  small  amount  of  restraint  to  which 
they  were  subjected.  They  would  follow  their  owner  about  the  garden,  or,  flattening  their 
bodies  and  spreading  out  their  limbs  to  the  greatest  extent,  lie  basking  in  the  sun  close  to 
where  he  might  be  seated.  They  also  apparently  appreciated  being  carried,  slung  across  their 
owner's  arm  after  the  manner  of  a  lap-dog.  Living  in  the  near  vicinity  of  unreclaimed 
bush-land,  it  was  found  possible  to  keep  these  echidnas  well  supplied  with  their  customary 
food;  they  were,  in  fact,  permitted  to  forage  on  their  own  account.  Liberated  amidst  their 
normal  surroundings,  they  would  walk  leisurely  from  one  ant-hill  to  another,  tearing  down 
the  side  of  it  with  their  powerful  front  claws,  and  appropriating  its  living  contents  with  the 
greatest  relish.  It  was  observed,  however,  in  this  connection  that  the  echidna  paid  attention 
entirely  to  the  succulent  white  larvae  and  pupal  phases  of  the  insects  with  which  the  inner 
chambers  of  the  ant-hills  are  customarily  crowded,  and  that  adult  ants,  as  they  abounded  in 
the  tracts  near  at  hand  or  elsewhere,  were  altogether  neglected.  In  addition  to  this  natural 
food  these  animals  were  supplied  daily  with  a  saucer  of  either  well-softened  bread  or  porridge 
and  milk,  for  which  they  evinced  a  decided  appreciation,  assimilating  this  food  dexterously, 
though  somewhat  slowly,  with  the  aid  of  their  long  protrusile  tongues.  Allowed  to  wander 
about  the  house,  they  displayed  a  most  inquisitive  turn  of  mind,  peering  into  every  crevice,  and 
climbing  upon  every  accessible  article  of  furniture. 

The  echidna  usually  produces  only  one  egg  at  a  time ;  it  is  relatively  small,  not  larger 
than  a  sparrow's  egg,  but  equally  and  obtusely  rounded  at  both  extremities,  and  with  a  white 
leathery  shell  like  that  of  a  reptile.  For  some  time  previous  to  hatching,  this  egg  is  carried 
in  a  skin-fold  or  rudimentary  pouch  in  the  parent's  abdomen,  much  similar  to  that  possessed 
by  many  of  the  marsupials.  The  young  one  is  also  retained  in  this  pouch  for  some  weeks 
after  escaping  from  the  egg.  When  finally  leaving  the  pouch,  it  is  between  three  and  four 
inches  in  length,  and  the  spines  are  in  an  altogether  rudimentary  condition. 

Examples  of  the  Australian  echidna  have  on  several  occasions  been  "  in  residence "  at  the 
Zoo;  while  the  Hon.  Walter  Rothschild 
has  been  fortunate  in  keeping  living 
specimens  of  both  this  and  the  very  rare 
three-toed  New  Guinea  variety  in  his 
admirably  appointed  menagerie  at  Tring. 

THE  PLATYPUS. 

The  egg-laying  mammal  known  as 
the  DUCK-BILLED  PLATYPUS  differs  very 
essentially  from  the  echidna  both  in 
aspect  and  habits.  It  is  adapted  espe- 
cially for  an  amphibious  life,  and  for 
feeding  on  molluscs,  worms,  and  insects, 
which  it  abstracts  from  the  muddy  bed 
or  banks  of  the  rivers  that  it  frequents. 
The  somewhat  depressed  ovate  body  is 
covered  with  short  dense  fur  much  re- 
sembling in  colour  and  texture  that  of 
an  otter.  The  tail  is  short  and  flattened 

like   that    of  a    beaver,  but   in    place   of  rhotobyW.saviae-Kc,it,F.z.a.} 

being  naked  and  scaly,  as  in  that  animal,  COMMON  OR  VIRGINIAN  OPOSSUM. 

is     COVered,      On     the     Upper     Surface     more  The  only  marsupial  animal  found  north  of  Mexico. 


382 


The    Living    Animals    of    the    World 


particularly,  with  long,  coarse,  bristle-like  hairs  that  intercross  one  another  in  all  directions. 
Neither  is  this  tail  used,  as  with  the  beaver,  as  a  mason's  trowel,  it  being  simply  subservient 
as  a  steer-oar.  The  feet  are  all  four  distinctly  webbed,  the  membranes  of  the  front  feet  in 
particular  projecting  to  some  distance  beyond  the  extremities  of  the  claws,  and  so  com- 
municating to  these  members  a  singular  resemblance  to  the  feet  of  a  duck.  The  head  of  the 
platypus  tapers  off  from  the  body  without  any  conspicuous  neck,  and  terminates  in  a  most 
remarkable  duck-like  beak,  having  at  its  base  a  supplementary  membranous  ferrule-like  structure 
which  would  seem  to  serve  the  purpose  of  limiting  the  distance  into  which  the  beak  of  the 
animal  is  thrust  into  the  mud  during  the  quest  for  its  accustomed  food,  and  at  the  same 
time  protecting  the  creature's  eyes.  The  mouth  of  the  adult  platypus  contains  no  teeth, 
simply  a  few  horny  plates;  but,  singularly  to  relate,  rudimentary  teeth  exist  temporarily  in  the 
young  animals.  These  provisional  teeth,  moreover,  correspond  in  a  marked  manner  with  those 
of  some  ancient  types  of  mammals  which  occur  as  fossils  in  the  tertiary  deposits  of  North 
America.  The  platypus,  with  relation  to  the  obliteration  of  its  teeth  in  the  adult  state, 
is  regarded  as  a  very  exceptionally  modified  form  and  not  as  the  immediate  prototype  of  the 
ordinary  mammals. 

The  platypus  is  found  in  Tasmania  and  in  the  south  and  eastern  districts  of  Australia 
only,  being  altogether  unknown  in  the  west  and  north.  Being  especially  shy  and  retiring, 
and  to  a  large  extent  nocturnal  in  its  habits,  it  is  not  frequently  seen  even  in  districts  where 
it  may  be  rather  abundant.  The  animal  excavates  burrows  of  so  great  a  length  as  from  thirty 
to  fifty  feet  in  the  river-banks  that  it  frequents,  and  at  the  extreme  end  of  these  burrows  it 
constructs  a  loose  nest  of  weeds  and  root-fibres,  which  it  uses  as  its  retreat,  and  also  for  the 
production  of  its  eggs  and  young.  There  are  invariably  two  entrances  to  these  burrows,  the 
one  being  under  water,  and  the  other  usually  opening  into  a  tangle  of  brushwood  at  some 
little  distance  from  the  water's  edge.  As  many  as  from  one  to  four  eggs  and  young  may  be 
produced  at  a  time,  but  two  is  the  more  general  number.  From  the  first  it  would  appear 
that  the  eggs  and  young  are  deposited  and  nursed  in  the  nest,  not  being  retained  or  carried 
about  in  a  pouch,  as  observed  of  the  echidna. 

The  late  Dr.  George  Bennett,  of  Sydney,  New  South  Wales,  has  probably  placed  on  record 
the  most  detailed  account  of  the  ways  and  life-habits  of  these  remarkable  animals,  though  it  did 
not  fall  to  him  to  solve  the  much-vexed  question  as  to  whether  or  not  they  were  oviparous. 
This  discovery,  as  applied  also  to  the  like  phenomenon  in  the  case  of  the  echidna,  was  the 
outcome  within  quite  recent  years  of  the  researches  of  Mr.  Caldwell.  After  much  indefatigable 

exploration,  in  which  he  was  ably 
assisted  by  the  natives,  Dr.  Bennett 
obtained  from  the  extremity  of  an  ex- 
ceptionally long  burrow  a  mother  and 
pair  of  half-grown  young.  The  young 
ones  survived  several  weeks,  and 
proved  most  droll  and  interesting  pets. 
In  playful  habits  they  much  resembled 
puppies,  chasing  and  rolling  one 
another  over,  and  pretending  to  bite 
with  their  toothless  bills.  They  were 
also  much  addicted  to  climbing  every 
scalable  article  of  furniture,  including 
even  a  tall  book-case,  which  they 
would  negotiate  by  "swarming"  up 
behind  it  as  a  sweep  climbs  a  chimney, 

Photo  ly  D.  Le  Souef}  [Melbourne.  with  their  ^^  ^   ^    ^   ftnd  their 

ECHIDNA,   OE  ANT-EATING  PORCUPINE.  „  '       f     +V,         V,      V        f     fli         "K      V 

The  female  echidna  can  carry  two  eggs  in  her  pouch,  which  in  due  course  are  hatched 

by  the  heat  of  her  body.  case.     The  sleeping  and  waking  hours 


Marsupials    and    Monotremes 


383 


TASMANIAN   ECHIDNA,   OR   PORCUPINE   ANT-EATER. 

This  is  the  largest  variety  of  the  five-toed  species  ;  it  grows  to  a  length  of  20  inches,  and  has  the  fur  so  long  as  almost  to  conceal  the  spines. 

that  both  these  and  other  examples  kept  were  observed  to  be  very  irregular ;  for  while  usually 
most  lively  and  disposed  to  ramble  after  it  grew  dusk,  they  would  at  other  times  come  out  of 
their  own  accord  in  the  daytime,  or  perhaps  one  would  ramble  about  while  the  other  slept. 
When  going  to  sleep,  they  would  roll  themselves  up  in  a  perfect  ball,  the  head,  tail,  and  limbs 
being  closely  folded  over  the  abdomen. 

The  food  question  appears  to  have  presented  almost  insurmountable  difficulties  so  far 
against  the  permanent  acclimatisation  of  these  interesting  animals  in  any  of  our  European 
zoological  gardens.  At  the  Melbourne  Zoo  some  considerable  success  was  obtained  by  fencing 
off  a  small  pond  abounding  with  insects  and  well-established  water-plants  for  their  reception, 
and  in  this  instance  they  had  also  the  advantage  of  being  brought  speedily  and  within  a  few 
hours  of  their  capture  to  their  new  home.  For  their  long  voyage  to  Europe  the  provision  of 
an  adequate  quantity  of  living  insects  or  other  aquatic  organisms  is  a  by  no  means  easy  task. 
They  have,  however,  been  known  to  thrive  on  broken-up  river-mussels  for  the  space  of  two  or 
three  weeks,  and  would  probably  have  done  so  for  a  longer  period.  This  material  might  easily 
be  stored  for  their  use  on  board  ship. 

An  incident  concerning  the  natural  predilections  of  the  platypus  that  fell  within  the  writer's 
observation  in  Tasmania  might  also  be  utilised  in  their  experimental  transportation.  At  the 
trout-  and  salmon -rearing  establishment  on  the  river  Plenty — of  which  the  writer  was  at 
the  time  superintendent — the  platypuses  proved  to  be  most  destructive  to  the  spawn  both 
deposited  in  the  hatching-boxes  and  upon  the  natural  spawning-beds,  or  "  redds,"  and  they  had 
in  consequence  to  be  systematically  destroyed.  This  being  the  case,  it  is  probable  that  they 
would  be  found  to  thrive  well  on  a  diet  consisting  to  a  large  extent  of  the  preserved  roes 
or  spawn  of  any  easily  procurable  fish — such  as  the  Murray  perch  and  cod — and  of  which 
adequate  supplies  might  with  facility  be  stored  aboard  ship.  The  admixture  in  all  cases  of 
a  certain  amount  of  sand  or  mud  with  their  provided  pabulum  would  appear  to  be  essential 
for  digestive  purposes,  such  material  being  always  found  in  considerable  quantities  in  their 
stomachs  when  dissected. 


384 


*  t 


The    Living    Animals    of    the  World 


A  distinguishing  feature  which  the  male  platypus  shares  in  common  with  the  echnida  is 
the  peculiar  spur  developed  on  its  hind  foot.  It  is  in  this  case,  however,  much  larger  and 
sharper,  and  has  been  accredited  with  aggressive  functions  and  poisonous  properties.  There  can 
be  little  doubt,  however,  that  they  are  normally  used  by  the  animal  only  as  clasping  or  retaining 
instruments  during  intercourse  with  the  female  at  the  breeding-season.  At  the  same  time, 
undoubted  cases  of  persons  receiving  severe  wounds  from  these  animals'  spurs  have  been  placed 
on  record.  One  such  that  fell  within  the  writer's  cognisance  happened  on  the  Murray  Kiver, 
on  the  Victorian  and  New  South  Wales  boundary.  A  young  fisher-lad,  on  taking  up  his  nets, 
found  a  half-drowned  platypus  entangled  in  them,  and,  whilst  •  disengaging  it,  it  convulsively 


I'hotoby  W.  Saville-Kent,  F.Z.S 


\_Miljord-on-Sea. 


DUCK-BILLED   PLATYPUS. 
This  curious  egg-laying  mammal,  the  only  representative  of  its  family,  is  mainly  nocturnal  in  habits. 


gripped  his  hand  between  the  two  spurs,  the  points  penetrating  deeply  into  the  flesh  on  either 
side.  The  result  was  a  festering  wound  that  refused  to  heal  for  many  months,  and  for  such 
time  entirely  deprived  the  lad  of  his  use  of  that  hand. 

The  fur  of  the  platypus,  dressed  so  as  to  remove  the  outer  and  longer  series  of  hairs, 
nearly  resembles  that  of  the  fur-seal  in  both  colour  and  texture,  and  as  a  rare  local  product  is 
highly  prized  for  the  manufacture  of  carriage-rugs  and  other  articles. 

WITH  the  egg-laying  Echidna  and  Platypus  we  terminate  the  Mammalian  Series,  and  they 
pave  the  way  to  the  typical  egg-laying  animals  which  follow. 


END  OF  VOL.  I. 


THIS  BOOK  IS  DUE  ON  THE  LAST  DATE 
STAMPED  BELOW 


AN  INITIAL  FINE  OF  25  CENTS 

WILL  BE  ASSESSED  FOR  FAILURE  TO  RETURN 
THIS  BOOK  ON  THE  DATE  DUE.  THE  PENALTY 
WILL  INCREASE  TO  5O  CENTS  ON  THE  FOURTH 
DAY  AND  TCL.$i.OO«ON  THE  ^EyENTH  DAY 

OVERDUE.    jEfouatoinr  JUiubr' 

^HMfc^P' A^^^^^B^Jr         9^&^^^^^r% 


f  JUt   20  1948 


M 


¥ 


OCT  3  0  195Q 


APR  2  0  1962 


• 


DEC5" 


,'.    . 


3  0  ^74 


40- 


W  -  8  74  1  9 


31  •tf/.io 


